Tshisekedi Misses Critical Summit on DRC Crisis

 President Félix Tshisekedi of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) did not attend today’s important summit between the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the East African Community (EAC),

aimed at discussing the ongoing crisis in eastern DRC. Instead, Prime Minister Judith Suminwa stepped in to represent the president at the gathering in Tanzania.

Tshisekedi’s absence from the summit, following his non-participation in a recent virtual meeting of EAC leaders, has sparked concerns over his level of involvement in resolving the escalating situation in the region. At the virtual summit, Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni proposed a face-to-face meeting between Tshisekedi and other regional leaders, urging a direct dialogue with the various armed groups involved in the conflict, notably the M23 rebels.

EAC leaders have long stressed the need for direct talks with the rebels as part of a political solution, but the DRC government has firmly rejected such calls, labeling the M23 as a terrorist group with backing from Rwanda. This ongoing refusal has raised doubts about the Congolese government’s willingness to engage in peace talks despite the worsening humanitarian crisis.

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As Prime Minister Suminwa attends the summit on behalf of Tshisekedi, it remains to be seen whether her presence will signal any shift in the DRC’s approach or if it will maintain its stance on military action over diplomacy. The summit represents a critical moment for regional cooperation, as the situation in eastern DRC continues to deteriorate, with thousands of people displaced and widespread violence.

The absence of Tshisekedi, coupled with his government’s position on dialogue, underscores the complexity of the conflict in the DRC and the challenges regional leaders face in trying to find a sustainable peace agreement. While calls for negotiations grow louder, many in the region worry that without direct engagement from Tshisekedi, prospects for peace may remain distant.