Kadaga: Kinshasa Delaying Ceasefire in Eastern DRC

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is the biggest obstacle to achieving peace in eastern DRC due to its refusal to engage in direct negotiations with the M23 rebels, instead choosing to focus solely on accusations against Rwanda, Rt. Hon. Rebecca Kadaga, the 1st Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of East African Affairs, has said.

Addressing the press on 4th March 2025 in Kampala, Kadaga revealed that during the 24th Extraordinary Summit of EAC Heads of State and the Joint EAC-SADC Summit, regional leaders repeatedly called on the DRC government to enter negotiations with all armed groups involved in the conflict. However, Kinshasa has refused to directly engage with M23, which it considers a terrorist organization, and instead continues to insist on talks with Rwanda, which it accuses of supporting the rebels.

“The EAC has been clear: for peace to be achieved, all parties involved in the conflict must be part of the negotiation process,” Kadaga said. “The continued insistence by the DRC government that it will only talk to Rwanda, while ignoring M23 and other armed groups operating within its territory, is delaying the ceasefire and worsening the humanitarian crisis.” she said

Kadaga pointed out that regional leaders have urged DRC to adopt a political and diplomatic approach to resolving the crisis, but this has not been fully embraced by Kinshasa.

“The government of the DRC must acknowledge that resolving this conflict requires talking to those who are actually involved in the fighting. Ignoring M23 and focusing only on diplomatic disputes with Rwanda is not a viable solution,” she emphasized.

Kadaga expressed concern over the worsening humanitarian situation, with continued clashes between the DRC army and M23 forces leading to more deaths, displacements, and attacks on civilians.

“The region has been pushing for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire, but this cannot be achieved if the DRC government refuses to engage with key stakeholders in the conflict,” she noted.

She also condemned the recent attacks on diplomatic missions in Kinshasa, where angry mobs targeted foreign embassies, accusing neighboring countries of interference.

“The EAC has called on the DRC to protect all diplomatic missions, their staff, and property,” Kadaga said.

During the Joint EAC-SADC Summit on February 8, 2025, regional leaders made it clear that a lasting solution requires a neutral and inclusive dialogue.

1. Direct Engagement with M23 – The summit reaffirmed that negotiations should not exclude any armed groups, including M23, as ignoring them only prolongs the war.
2. Ceasefire and Humanitarian Access – The leaders urged immediate restoration of essential services and supply routes to ensure aid reaches the affected populations.
3. Military Measures and Security Plans – The EAC-SADC Chiefs of Defense Forces were directed to draw up a security plan for stabilizing Goma and other conflict zones.
4. Withdrawal of Foreign Forces – The summit agreed on the need for the removal of all uninvited foreign armed forces from the DRC.

Kadaga warned that the lack of political will from the DRC government is testing the patience of regional mediators.

“We cannot keep holding summits and issuing resolutions while one party refuses to engage in meaningful dialogue,” she said. “The DRC government must take responsibility for ensuring peace by talking to all sides, rather than insisting on a narrow approach that excludes key players in the conflict.”

She also dismissed accusations that the EAC was siding with Rwanda, saying the regional body is committed to a peaceful resolution that involves all parties equally.

“The EAC is neutral in this conflict. Our goal is peace, not blame games. If the DRC is serious about ending the war, it must negotiate with those holding guns inside its territory,” she stressed.

With fighting still ongoing and no clear path to a ceasefire, Kadaga’s remarks highlight growing frustration within the EAC over DRC’s refusal to engage with M23. As the humanitarian situation worsens and diplomatic efforts stall, the question remains: Will Kinshasa finally listen to the region and negotiate, or will the conflict continue to spiral out of control?