24TH EXTRA ORDINARY SUMMIT OF THE EAST AFRICAN COMMUNITY HEADS OF STATE ON THE RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN THE EASTERN DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO

COMMUNIQUÉ

1. THE EAST AFRICAN COMMUNITY HEADS OF STATE, THEIR EXCELLENCIES DR. WILLIAM SAMOEI RUTO, PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF KENYA, HASSAN SHEIKH MOHAMUD, PRESIDENT OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF SOMALIA, SAMIA SULUHU HASSAN, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED REPUBLIC OF TANZANIA, ÉVARISTE NDAYISHIMIYE, PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF BURUNDI, SALVA KIIR MAYARDIT, PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH SUDAN; PAUL KAGAME, PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF RWANDA; YOWERI KAGUTA MUSEVENI PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF UGANDA, VIRTUALLY HELD THE 24TH EXTRA ORDINARY SUMMIT OF THE EAST AFRICAN COMMUNITY HEADS OF STATE TO DELIBERATE ON THE RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN THE EASTERN DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO ON 29th JANUARY 2025. THE HEADS OF STATE MET IN A WARM AND CORDIAL ATMOSPHERE.
2. THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE SUMMIT WELCOMED THE HEADS OF STATE TO THE MEETING AND THANKED THEM FOR THEIR PARTICIPATION IN THIS EXTRA ORDINARY SUMMIT COVENED AT SHORT NOTICE.
3. THE SUMMIT DELIBERATED ON THE DEVELOPMENTS AND DETERIORATING SECURITY SITUATION IN EASTERN DRC WHICH LED TO THE LOSS OF LIVES, HUMANITARIAN CRISIS AND SUFFERING OF PEOPLE IN PARTICULAR WOMEN AND CHILDREN.
4. THE SUMMIT OFFERED CONDOLENCES TO THE FAMILIES OF THOSE AFFECTED BY THE RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN THE EASTERN DRC AND FURTHER WISHED A QUICK RECOVERY TO THOSE INJURED.
5. THE SUMMIT ALSO EXPRESSED CONCERN ABOUT THE EXPANDING CRISIS MANIFESTING IN ATTACKS ON DIPLOMATIC MISSIONS, EMBASSIES AND STAFF BASED IN KINSHASA. ACCORDINGLY, THE SUMMIT URGED THE GOVERNMENT OF DRC TO PROTECT DIPLOMATIC MISSIONS, LIVES AND PROPERTY.
6. THE SUMMIT CALLED ON ALL PARTIES TO THE CONFLICT IN EASTERN DRC TO CEASE HOSTILITIES AND OBSERVE IMMEDIATE AND UNCONDITIONAL CEASEFIRE AND FACILITATE HUMANITARIAN ACCESS TO THE AFFECTED POPULATION.
7. THE SUMMIT CALLED FOR PEACEFUL SETTLEMENT OF THE CONFLICTS; AND STRONGLY URGED THE GOVERNMENT OF THE DRC TO DIRECTLY ENGAGE WITH ALL STAKEHOLDERS, INCLUDING THE M23 AND OTHER ARMED GROUPS THAT HAVE GRIEVANCES.
8. NOTING THAT SOUTH AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY (SADC) HAS ALSO BEEN INVOLVED IN EASTERN DRC, THE SUMMIT DECIDED ON A JOINT EAC-SADC SUMMIT TO DELIBERATE ON THE WAY FORWARD; AND MANDATED THE CHAIRPERSON TO CONSULT WITH THE CHAIRPERSON OF SADC ON THE URGENT CONVENING OF THE SAME IN THE NEXT FEW DAYS.
9. THE SUMMIT COMMENDED THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE SUMMIT OF THE EAC HEADS OF STATE FOR CONVENING THE 24TH EXTRA ORDINARY SUMMIT TO DELIBERATE ON THE RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN EASTERN DRC.

DONE THIS 29TH DAY OF JANUARY 2025.