East African Leaders Send Regional Force to Eastern Congo

In response to the possibility of conflict between Rwanda and Congo, East African leaders have ordered a new regional force to deploy in eastern Congo and an urgent cease-fire.

The African force's deployment date and composition were not specified in a statement issued after the summit in Nairobi, Kenya's capital. The presence of the military had been welcomed in Congo, but not in neighbouring Rwanda. Both countries' presidents were in attendance on Monday.

According to the statement, the African regional heads of state agreed on the status of forces agreement, concept of operations, and rules of engagement "for prompt implementation." The force was told by the chiefs of state to work with Congolese forces to stabilise the region.

Rwanda was not mentioned at all, despite Congo accusing Rwanda of aiding the M23 rebel group, which has carried out numerous attacks in recent months. The existence of "foreign negative components" was cited as a major concern in the statement. Rwanda has long denied backing the M23 rebels, who last week took control of a crucial town in eastern Congo.

Rwanda reported a Congolese soldier crossed the border and began shooting at Rwandan security officers and people before being shot dead. Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi accused Rwanda of attempting to take his country's land for its massive mineral wealth on Friday.

Congo's president has also urged world leaders, notably British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, to increase pressure on Rwanda as it prepares to host the Commonwealth summit this week.

Invasion accusations have been levelled by both sides. Congo is now attempting to halt all deals with Rwanda. Manasseh Nshuti, Rwanda's state minister for foreign affairs in charge of East African affairs, has stated that dialogue is "the solution" to the problems.

According to a new study by the United Nations panel of experts on Congo, the dynamics in eastern Congo "were already stressed" by Congo and neighbouring Uganda conducting a combined operation there against another rebel organisation, the Allied Democratic Forces. Both Uganda and Rwanda have long been accused of backing rebels and pursuing some of the region’s rich mineral wealth, including gold.