The growing instability in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is raising alarm among neighboring nations, Kenyan President William Ruto has warned.
Speaking at a joint East African Community-Southern African Development Community summit, which he co-chaired with Zimbabwe's President Emmerson Mnangagwa, Ruto emphasized the risk of the conflict spilling over, causing further loss of lives and displacement.
The summit, attended by 15 heads of state and representatives, adopted recommendations from a previous meeting in Harare, Zimbabwe, and set out immediate, medium, and long-term measures to restore peace.
A panel of facilitators—including former presidents from Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, Central African Republic, and Ethiopia—was appointed to lead diplomatic efforts and engage with the African Union and United Nations.
Ruto and Mnangagwa were tasked with convening a briefing session within the next week to coordinate regional responses.