Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has hosted an emergency regional summit in Entebbe to address the worsening conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The meeting brought together regional leaders and envoys who are concerned about the growing violence and its impact on neighbouring countries in the Great Lakes region.
The summit, held at State House, focused on renewed fighting in North and South Kivu. The clashes involve the M23 rebel group, Congolese government forces, and allied militias. The violence has forced hundreds of thousands of civilians to flee their homes and has increased tension across the region.
After chairing the meeting, President Museveni said the discussions showed a strong commitment by neighbouring countries to work together for peace. He said cooperation, not confrontation, is the best way to achieve long-term stability in the Great Lakes region.
The meeting came at a sensitive time. Earlier this month, the M23 group announced it would withdraw its fighters from the strategic town of Uvira in South Kivu. The group said the move was a sign of goodwill to support peace talks being mediated by Qatar, with support from international partners such as the United States.
However, M23 warned that in the past, similar withdrawals had been followed by attacks from Congolese forces and local militias. The group called for neutral systems to manage areas they leave behind, including demilitarisation, protection of civilians, and independent monitoring of ceasefire agreements.
On the ground, the situation remains dire. Residents of Uvira and nearby areas have experienced days of heavy fighting, including shelling and gunfire. Many families have fled into neighbouring Burundi, forcing authorities there to temporarily close border crossings due to the high number of refugees. Schools and businesses have been shut down, leaving communities without basic services.
Diplomatic efforts have increased in recent weeks. A US-brokered agreement signed in Washington between Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi and Rwandan President Paul Kagame promised a permanent ceasefire and stronger regional cooperation. However, the deal does not include the M23 group, highlighting the challenges facing current peace efforts.
The United Nations has warned that the humanitarian situation is getting worse. An estimated 200,000 people have been displaced by recent fighting, with many killed or injured. Burundi has reported receiving tens of thousands of new refugees.
Against this background, Museveni’s Entebbe summit is seen as an important test of African-led solutions. Regional leaders say lasting peace in eastern Congo can only be achieved through continuous dialogue, trust, and coordinated regional action to end decades of conflict.
