President William Ruto, the chairperson of the East African Community (EAC) Heads of State and Government, has warned that external actors are undermining efforts to resolve the ongoing conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
In a statement issued ahead of the joint EAC and Southern African Development Community (SADC) Heads of State summit in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, Ruto said the crisis could no longer ignore the "clandestine international dimension at work," which he described as "cynical and destructive." "It is clear that the conflict in the DRC is complex, delicate, and protracted and involves multiple actors pursuing different interests." "For this reason, it is equally clear that such a conflict cannot be resolved through military means," he said.
Ruto cautioned that a military approach, rather than dialogue, would have far-reaching consequences.
He urged the Congolese government, along with international and regional actors, including civil society organisations, to embrace dialogue. "We have to agree that only a comprehensive diplomatic approach- one that addresses the root causes of the crisis, secures the territorial integrity of the DRC, and affirms the sovereignty of its people and their aspirations for freedom, justice, and development will establish enduring peace," said Ruto.
