Maseru, Feb. 10 — African leaders on Saturday called for an immediate ceasefire in the Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and reaffirmed their full support for seeking a lasting solution to the ongoing conflict.
A “historic summit,” jointly convened by the East African Community (EAC) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC), two major regional blocs, was held on Saturday in the Tanzanian port city of Dar es Salaam to address the escalating crisis in eastern DRC.
In a final communique, regional leaders called for an “immediate ceasefire” and the restoration of supply lines in the DRC, as the March 23 Movement (M23) has reportedly been advancing toward Bukavu, the capital of South Kivu province, after establishing its so-called administration in Goma, the capital of North Kivu province and a key regional hub.
Recognizing the urgency of the situation, leaders attending the summit directed the EAC-SADC Chiefs of Defense Forces to meet within five days to devise technical measures for enforcing an immediate and unconditional ceasefire.
