Washington, D.C. – U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Kenyan President William Ruto have called for an immediate ceasefire in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) during a phone call, the State Department announced on Friday.
The call comes amid a significant escalation in the long-running conflict in eastern Congo, driven by advances from the Rwanda-backed M23 rebels. This conflict, deeply rooted in the aftermath of Rwanda’s 1994 genocide and the struggle for control over Congo’s vast mineral resources, has seen its gravest escalation in over a decade. Rwanda denies allegations from Congo, the United Nations, and Western powers that it supports M23 with arms and troops.
The United States announced a day earlier that it was imposing sanctions on a Rwandan government minister and a senior member of an armed group for their alleged roles in the conflict. A diplomatic note seen by Reuters earlier this month stated that regional stability would require the Rwandan military to withdraw its forces and advanced weaponry from Congo.
“Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke with Kenyan President William Ruto to discuss the ongoing conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, including the unacceptable capture of Goma and Bukavu by the Rwanda-backed M23 armed group,” the State Department said. “Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to push for a diplomatic resolution to the crisis.”
The situation remains a major concern for global leaders, given the potential for further destabilization in Central Africa.