African leaders push for Congo conflict resolution as US sanctions loom
DAR ES SALAAM, Tanzania – Leaders of Eastern and Southern African regional blocs met for an unprecedented joint summit on Saturday to find a solution to a conflict in eastern Congo, as the M23 rebels’ rapid advance since January has fanned fears of a wider war.
The M23 rebels last week captured Goma, the largest city in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, marking the worst escalation of fighting in more than a decade that has left thousands dead. Despite announcing a unilateral ceasefire, they have continued to march south towards the city of Bukavu.
Presidents, including Rwanda’s Paul Kagame, lined up on stage at the start of talks in Dar es Salaam. Congo’s Felix Tshisekedi attended via video link.
“History will judge us harshly if we remain still and watch the situation worsen, day by day,” Tanzania’s President Samia Suluhu Hassan said at the opening ceremony.
The first-ever summit of both Eastern and Southern African blocs points to the continent’s deep concern over the crisis, with leaders seeking a breakthrough after two peace processes in Luanda and Nairobi stalled as tensions escalated.
The blocs’ foreign ministers have recommended the summit consider calling for the cessation of hostilities, an unconditional ceasefire, and the reopening of Goma airport and other key routes for the delivery of urgently needed humanitarian aid.
Aid groups have been helping to relieve overwhelmed hospitals as health workers race against time to bury the bodies of at least 2,000 people killed in the battle for Goma, amid concerns of disease spreading.
Ahead of the summit, the United States warned of possible sanctions against Rwandan and Congolese officials, further raising the stakes for finding a solution to a conflict.
Over the past month, M23’s lightning advances have expanded its control over North Kivu province’s lucrative coltan, gold, and tin ore mines, uprooting thousands in what was already one of the world’s most dire humanitarian crises.
