East African Leaders Demand Urgent Ceasefire in the DR Congo Conflict**

Leaders from Southern Africa and the East African Community have issued urgent calls for a ceasefire in the ongoing DR Congo conflict, emphasizing dialogue and humanitarian access amidst rising casualties and displacement.**

Leaders from the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the East African Community (EAC) gathered in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, to address the escalating conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), urging an immediate and unconditional ceasefire. The summit, aimed at halting the intense fighting primarily involving the Rwanda-backed M23 rebels and DRC government forces, called for peace talks to commence within five days.

The M23 group, which has made significant territorial gains in eastern DRC, including the strategic city of Goma, has sparked fears of a broader regional conflict as they advance toward Bukavu. Recent United Nations reports indicate that violence has resulted in nearly 2,900 deaths since January, displacing approximately 700,000 citizens and leaving thousands more injured.

During the summit, army leadership was tasked with developing a security strategy for Goma and surrounding regions. The communique highlighted the need for political solutions rather than military ones, stressing that effective dialogue is crucial for sustainable peace. The leaders also called for the reopening of Goma airport and critical transport links to aid humanitarian efforts.

Notably, Rwandan President Paul Kagame attended the summit and faced accusations regarding Rwanda's involvement with the M23 rebels, claims he has consistently denied. Meanwhile, DRC President Félix Tshisekedi participated via video link, with Prime Minister Judith Suminwa representing the DRC in person; however, the Congolese delegation did not immediately respond to the summit's declarations.

Kenyan President William Ruto, chair of the EAC, emphasized that military actions alone will not resolve the entrenched crisis. Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan warned that regional leaders have a shared responsibility to act decisively, stating the world would judge them harshly for inaction as the conflict worsens.

While the DRC's security challenges have persisted for decades, they have rapidly intensified in recent weeks, exacerbating a humanitarian crisis in the country that covers an area larger than the size of Western Europe.