President Ruto hosts Tshisekedi’s delegation for talks on Eastern DRC crisis

President Ruto hosts Tshisekedi’s delegation for talks on Eastern DRC crisis

President William Ruto has met with a high-level delegation from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to discuss the escalating situation in Eastern DRC.

In a statement posted on his X account on February 19, 2025, Ruto announced the meeting in his role as Chair of the East African Community (EAC).

“As Chair of the East African Community (EAC), I received a high-level delegation from President Felix Tshisekedi of the Democratic Republic of Congo to discuss the escalating situation in Eastern DRC,” Ruto stated.

The discussions focused on implementing resolutions agreed upon during recent regional summits, particularly the Joint Summit of the EAC and SADC held in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, on February 8, 2025.

“We discussed the options on the way forward as agreed during the Joint Summit of EAC-SADC in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, and the African Union Peace and Security Council meeting in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia,” Ruto added.

The delegation was led by MP and former Deputy Prime Minister Lambert Mende and included President Felix Tshisekedi’s High Representative Sambu Mambu, Public Works Minister Alexis Gisaro, and Trade Minister Julien Paluku.

Ruto on DRC conflict

During the SADC-EAC Joint Summit on February 8, 2025, President Ruto emphasized that the conflict in Eastern DRC cannot be resolved by military means.

In a statement shared via his official X account, he highlighted the need for all parties involved to cease hostilities and engage in dialogue. He noted that both the EAC and SADC would work together to promote a peaceful resolution.

“The conflict in the Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo—driven by historical, economic, and political factors—cannot be resolved militarily. All parties involved must cease hostilities and embrace dialogue. The East African Community (EAC) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) will jointly push for a peaceful resolution, prioritizing cooperation and civilian protection,” President Ruto stated.

SADC-EAC Summit

According to a communique issued at the conclusion of the joint summit, the heads of state announced that negotiations would also involve the M23 rebels within the framework of the Luanda/Nairobi process.

This process combines the Nairobi peace initiative, led by retired President Uhuru Kenyatta, with the Luanda peace initiative.

“The Joint Summit directed resumption of direct negotiations and dialogue with all state and non-state parties (military and non-military), including the M23, under the framework of the Luanda/Nairobi process,” part of the communique read.

The Joint Summit also called for the implementation of the Concept of Operations (CONOPS) from the harmonized plan for neutralizing the FDLR and urged the lifting of Rwanda’s defensive measures and the disengagement of its forces from the DRC, as agreed in the Luanda process.