Southern and Eastern African nations have expanded a team of former heads of state tasked with overseeing peace efforts in the volatile eastern region of the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The move aims to inject new momentum into negotiations that have repeatedly stalled.
Following a virtual summit on Monday, the region’s key political blocs appointed five former leaders to help facilitate the peace process.
The newly selected figures include Nigeria’s Olusegun Obasanjo, South Africa’s Kgalema Motlanthe, Ethiopia’s Sahle-Work Zewde, Kenya’s Uhuru Kenyatta, and Central African Republic’s Catherine Samba Panza.
This development comes as the situation on the ground worsens. On Monday, M23 rebels backtracked on their commitment to withdraw from the strategically significant town of Walikale, citing continued military operations by government forces.
The conflict, deeply rooted in the aftermath of Rwanda’s 1994 genocide and fueled by competition for control of the region’s vast mineral wealth, has escalated significantly since January.
M23 has taken over eastern Congo’s two largest cities in fierce battles that have claimed thousands of lives and heightened concerns of a broader regional conflict.
In a key decision, the Congolese presidency announced that the newly formed panel will appoint a mediator to replace Angolan President Joao Lourenço. Lourenço stepped down from the role on Monday after years of unsuccessful attempts to ease tensions between Congo and Rwanda.
Rwanda, which has faced sanctions from multiple Western nations over allegations of providing military support to M23, responded to the summit’s resolutions on social media.
“Leaders at the summit committed to a political solution that addresses the security concerns of all parties,” Rwanda’s government stated on X.
While Kigali denies backing M23, it insists that its forces are acting in self-defense against Congo’s military and hostile militias.
Last week, Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi and his Rwandan counterpart Paul Kagame met for the first time in Qatar, where they expressed support for an immediate ceasefire.
However, M23 rejected the call, maintaining that the conflict can only be resolved through direct negotiations with the Congolese government.
Efforts to hold peace talks in Angola were derailed after M23 withdrew in protest over newly imposed European Union sanctions.
Tshisekedi had only recently abandoned his long-standing refusal to negotiate with the rebel group.
The conflict now threatens to expand further, with the armies of Congo, Rwanda, and Burundi engaged in the fighting.
Burundi’s President Evariste Ndayishimiye, whose forces have been supporting Congo’s army against M23, voiced concerns about Rwanda’s intentions.
“Rwanda has a plan to attack Burundi,” Ndayishimiye stated in an interview with the BBC. “Burundians will not accept to be killed as Congolese are being killed.” He emphasized, however, that he seeks a resolution through dialogue.
Rwanda and Burundi have long experienced strained relations, though their officials have held meetings in recent weeks. Rwandan government spokesperson Yolande Makolo reacted to Ndayishimiye’s remarks, telling Reuters, “These comments are surprising because Rwandan and Burundian defence and security institutions have been meeting to discuss how to secure our common borders.”
