Ruto Calls For Unconditional Cessation Of Hostility In Eastern DRC

President William Ruto Sunday called for the immediate and unconditional cessation of hostilities in the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

In a statement Ruto condemned the escalating insecurity situation in the region noting that it is of grave concern.

This came as the main rebel group M23 announced it had taken control of Goma in DRC.

The group ordered any armed groups in the area to surrender their weapons.

Ruto noted that the humanitarian crisis is being exacerbated by ongoing military actions, including the closure of airspace in Goma.

“I call for the immediate and unconditional cessation of hostilities, emphasise the obligation of all parties to facilitate humanitarian access to affected populations and urge both sides to pursue peaceful means to resolve this tragic conflict,” he said.

The President, who is the chairperson of the East African Commission (EAC), also called on the parties to the Luanda process and Presidents Félix Tshisekedi (Congo) and Paul Kagame (Rwanda) to heed the call for peace from the people of the region and the international community.

“I call on them to dedicate all efforts towards achieving peace in Eastern DRC and restoring good neighbourliness and essential principles underpinning regional peace and collective responsibility,” he added.

He said that after consulting the Heads of State of EAC member states, they will convene an Extraordinary Summit in the next 48 hours to chart the way forward.

This, the President said, is in line with the EAC Summit’s decision of November 2024, which called for constructive engagement to address the conflict.

“The EAC stands ready to forge stronger collaboration with the African Union, Southern African Development Community and the international community in encouraging the warring parties to give priority to dialogue,” he added.

Over the weekend, the rebels of the M23 movement took control of the city of Goma.

The United Nations said key roads surrounding the city were blocked and the city’s airport could no longer be used for evacuation and humanitarian efforts.

The M23 group has taken control of Goma and vast parts of mineral-rich eastern DR Congo since 2021.

Since the start of 2025, more than 400,000 people have been displaced in North and South Kivu, provinces near the border with Rwanda, according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.

The M23 formed as an offshoot of another rebel group in 2012, ostensibly to protect the Tutsi population in the east of DR Congo, which had long complained of persecution and discrimination.

Rwanda has previously said the Congolese authorities were working with some of those responsible for the 1994 Rwandan genocide against ethnic Tutsis and moderate Hutus.

However, Rwanda’s critics accuse it of using the M23 to loot minerals such as gold, cobalt and tantalum in eastern DR Congo.

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