Dialogue is not a sign of weakness, Ruto says on DRC conflict
President William Ruto.
What you need to know:
- President Ruto further condemned the widespread displacement of millions of civilians, who continue to live under the persistent threat of violence, including sexual and gender-based violence and the recruitment of child soldiers.
- He urged the international community to stand in solidarity with the people of the DRC by aligning their support with this peace initiative.
President William Ruto has called for a joint effort between the two regional blocs to resolve the ongoing civil war in Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Addressing a joint summit of East African Community (EAC) and Southern African Development Community (SADC) leaders in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, President Ruto underscored the importance of political will in addressing the conflict in eastern Congo and achieving a lasting peace.
President Ruto, who currently chairs the EAC, stressed that only urgent collective action toward a negotiated solution will bring relief, calling for an immediate ceasefire.
At the meeting, which he is co-chairing with Zimbabwe’s President Emmerson Mnangagwa, the SADC chairperson, Dr Ruto emphasized the need for a unified approach, building on the lessons and achievements of the Luanda (Angola-SADC) and Nairobi (EAC) peace processes.
“We have a historic opportunity as the broader neighbourhood of the DRC to mobilize our collective will into a unified and coherent initiative toward resolving this complex crisis. Such an approach will maximize our resources and minimize the possibility of parallel initiatives that could duplicate efforts or undermine progress toward peace,” he stated.
President Ruto acknowledged the complexity of the DRC conflict, emphasizing that it involves multiple actors with differing interests, spanning historical, economic, and political dimensions across national and regional borders.
A member of the security forces removes obstacles from a road, during a demonstration in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, January 28, 2025.
He also noted the existence of a “clandestine international dimension,” whose persistent and destructive influence must no longer be ignored or underestimated.
“For this reason, it is equally clear that this conflict cannot be resolved through military means. We must resist the temptation of believing that we can shoot or bombard our way to a solution in the face of such complexity,” he said.
Instead, he called for a comprehensive diplomatic approach—one that addresses the root causes of the crisis, secures the territorial integrity of the DRC, and upholds the sovereignty of its people in their pursuit of freedom, justice, and development.
A member of the security forces removes obstacles from a road, during a demonstration in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, January 28, 2025.
Such an approach, he said, must bring together multiple stakeholders—regional states, international bodies, political organizations, civil society groups, and the Congolese government—“to engage in dialogue, collaborate, and implement a lasting solution.”
“I am confident that you agree with me that dialogue is not a sign of weakness; it is a testament to our collective wisdom and strength, both as leaders and as a community. It shows our ability to articulate issues, listen to one another, consult comprehensively with a common goal in mind, and negotiate patiently for a better outcome than the bitter result of bloodshed,” he said.
Dr Ruto reiterated that the summit was an opportunity for leaders to call on all parties involved in the conflict to immediately cease hostilities and engage in meaningful dialogue to restore stability.
“Specifically, we stand together to call on all parties to implement the ceasefire—particularly the M23 rebels to halt further advances and the DRC armed forces to cease all retaliatory measures. An immediate ceasefire is the only way to create the necessary conditions for constructive dialogue and the implementation of a comprehensive peace agreement,” President Ruto said.
M23 verses DRC forces
The meeting comes against the backdrop of intensified hostilities between the Rwandan-backed M23 armed group and the DRC's armed forces, resulting in nearly 3,000 deaths, at least 700,000 displacements, and over 2,000 injuries in Goma, according to United Nations (UN) figures, following rebel seizures of key cities.
Civilians carry their belongings as they flee from the Nzulo camp for the internally displaced to Goma as fighting intensifies between the M23 rebels and the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (FARDC), near Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo January 22, 2025.
President Ruto expressed concern that eastern DRC has been engulfed in devastating conflict for over two decades, with ongoing clashes claiming thousands of lives, displacing countless civilians, causing immense suffering, and stalling the development of one of the world’s most resource-rich regions.
“The recent escalation of hostilities in Goma and surrounding areas is a stark reminder of the increasing fragility of the situation.”
Also Read: DRC crisis and possible outcomes
Dr Ruto acknowledged that regional leaders face a grave and prolonged security, diplomatic, and humanitarian crisis in the DRC, which demands immediate, collective, and sustained action.
He condemned the blatant disregard for human life, attacks on diplomatic missions, and threats to peacekeepers, calling it a “brazen demonstration of lawlessness” and a “grave affront to the rules-based international order.”
“It must stop at once. The lives of millions depend on our ability to navigate this complex and challenging situation with wisdom, clarity of mind, empathy for those affected, concern for the DRC’s lost opportunity to accelerate its growth and development, and a steadfast commitment to peace and justice,” stated Dr Ruto.
Protesters clash with riot police forces in front of the French Embassy in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo January 28, 2025.
President Ruto further condemned the widespread displacement of millions of civilians, who continue to live under the persistent threat of violence, including sexual and gender-based violence and the recruitment of child soldiers.
“As members of the African Union (AU) and the United Nations (UN), we are bound by fundamental principles of respect for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of nations, as well as the principle of good neighbourliness. These twin principles are the surest safeguards for achieving peaceful coexistence,” he stated.
He urged the international community to stand in solidarity with the people of the DRC by aligning their support with this peace initiative.