Kenya's President William Ruto chaired a summit for the East African Community (EAC) heads of state to discuss the conflict in the Democratic Republic of Cong (DRC).

Presidents Paul Kagame (Rwanda) and Cyril Ramaphosa (South Africa) clashed on Wednesday after the latter linked Rwanda's defence forces to the ongoing war in the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

DRC has been embroiled in a conflict, with the resurgence of the M23 rebel group bringing renewed attention to Rwandan President Paul Kagame and the M23 movement.

Rwandan President Paul Kagame has criticised African leaders over their handling of the ongoing crisis in the Eastern DRC.

President Paul Kagame has insisted that the M23 rebel group is not from Rwanda as widely claimed.Speaking during Tuesday's East African Community (EAC) Heads of State summit, Kagame stated that they are from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and that President Felix Tshisekedi himself has previously admitted to this.

Kigali, Rwanda | THE INDEPENDENT | Rwanda’s president Paul Kagame has criticized the efforts by the East African Community and the international community as a whole for failing to resolve the conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo-DRC.

President William Ruto took a bold step to address the escalating conflict and deteriorating situation in Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Ruto appealed to DRC President Félix Tshisekedi and Rwandan President Paul Kagame to heed the call for peace from the people of EAC and the international community.

In April 2022, EAC leaders met in Nairobi, Kenya, and agreed to establish a regional force to be deployed in eastern DRC to facilitate dialogue between the warring parties. While the DRC government and the rebels agreed to a ceasefire, tensions persisted.

Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi has vowed to restore government authority in the east, where Rwanda-backed M23 rebels have seized much of the city of Goma and are reportedly advancing south to seize more territory.

Gunfire broke out before dawn Monday in the centre of the besieged Congolese city of Goma, after the Democratic Republic of Congo accused neighbouring Rwanda of sending more troops across the border to help allied fighters capture the provincial capital.

The EAC summit chaired by Kenya's President William Ruto called for peaceful settlement of the DRC conflicts, and urged the government to directly engage M23

The Democratic Republic of Congo capital Kinshasa saw widespread protests, where various embassies, including Kenya's, were looted, vandalised and set on fire.