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February 10, 2025

African Leaders Call for Ceasefire, Direct Talks with Rebels Amid Escalating Eastern Congo Conflict
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In Tanzania, leaders of eastern and southern African regional blocs
called for an "immediate and unconditional ceasefire" in eastern Congo
as they met this weekend for an unprecedented joint summit. This is
Veronica Nduva, secretary general of the East African Community.

Veronica Nduva: "The joint summit directed resumption of direct
negotiations and dialogue with all state and nonstate parties, military
and nonmilitary, including the M23."

Also in attendance was Rwandan President Paul Kagame, who's come under
mounting pressure over the presence of Rwandan troops in eastern Congo
and Rwanda's backing of M23 rebels - though Kagame continues to deny any
involvement.

The U.N. says some 3,000 people were killed in just one week of fighting
after rebels seized the key city of Goma in late January. Over half a
million people have been displaced in eastern Congo in recent weeks,
compounding an already severe humanitarian crisis. There have been
widespread reports of sexual violence.


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