Ruto calls for immediate ceasefire, dialogue to end DRC crisis
President William Ruto has called for an immediate ceasefire and urgent diplomatic intervention to address the escalating crisis in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Speaking at the joint summit of East African Community (EAC) and Southern African Development Community (SADC) heads of state in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, Ruto urged all parties involved to embrace dialogue and take collective action to restore stability.
“The recent escalation of hostilities in Goma and the surrounding areas is a stark reminder of the increasing fragility the situation presents and that only urgent collective action to facilitate a negotiated solution will offer relief,” said Ruto.
He urged all warring parties, including the M23 rebels and the Congolese armed forces, to cease hostilities immediately.
“We stand together to call on all parties to actualize the ceasefire; and specifically, on the M23 to halt further advancement and the armed forces of the DRC, to cease all retaliatory measures,” Ruto stated.
“The security of the DRC is essential not only to the stability of the country but also to the prosperity and cohesion of the entire EAC and SADC. We call upon all parties to prioritize dialogue, cooperation, and, above all, the protection of civilian lives,” he added.
Ruto, who is also the co-chair of the summit, dismissed military solutions as ineffective and urged a diplomatic approach that addresses the root causes of the crisis.
“We must resist the temptation to think we can shoot or bombard our way into a solution. Only a comprehensive diplomatic approach will establish lasting peace,” he stated.
Ruto further called for the consolidation of the of the Luanda and Nairobi peace processes into a single regional framework to minimizes the risk of parallel efforts that may undermine peace efforts.
President Ruto and his Zimbabwean counterpart Emmerson Mnangagwa are co-chairing the ongoing summit, with DRC President Félix Tshisekedi participating virtually.