DRC crisis: Tshisekedi snubs meeting as EAC Heads of State call for ceasefire

The East African Community (EAC) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) are set to hold a joint summit to address the escalating humanitarian crisis in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

EAC Chairperson, President William Ruto has said he will consult with the SADC Chairperson on the urgency of the meeting, given SADC's involvement in eastern DRC.

The joint summit follows an extraordinary EAC summit yesterday evening, on recent developments in the DRC.

"The summit deliberated on the developments and deteriorating security situation in Eastern DRC, which led to the loss of lives, humanitarian crisis, and suffering, particularly among women and children," a communique read. 

Ruto convened the meeting on Wednesday, attended by President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud (Somalia),  Samia Suluhu (Tanzania), Évariste Ndayishimiye (Burundi), South Sudanese President Salva Kiir Mayardit, Rwandan President Paul Kagame, and Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni.

DRC President Félix Tshisekedi, however, skipped the meeting, that deliberated on solutions within his country. 

The Heads of State further called for an immediate ceasefire in DRC,urging the DR Congo government to engage with the M23 rebels and other armed groups to resolve the ongoing conflict. 

The leaders also condemned Tuesday's attack on various embassies in Kinshasa. 

"The summit called on all parties to the conflict to cease hostilities and observe an immediate and ceasefire, and to facilitate humanitarian access to the affected population," they said.

The infighting within DRC has escalated since last week. Some countries have since pulled out their armies, and others suspend travel to the conflict-hit nation.