Guterres urges de-escalation as regional leaders convene on eastern DRC conflict

NEW YORK, United States

As the crisis in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) spirals, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has issued a stark warning, calling for an immediate de-escalation ahead of a high-stakes regional summit in Dar es Salaam.

Speaking to the media on February 6, 2025, the Secretary General, gave an opinion on the meeting involving the leaders of SADC and the East African Community to come up with a solution regarding the ongoing situation in DR Congo.

"Tomorrow (February 07, 2025) the leaders of the East African Community and SADC will participate in a meeting in Tanzania. These talks will aim to resolve the crisis caused by the attacks of the M23 supported by the Rwandan army." Explained António Guterres.

"When the Tanzania conference starts, my message is this: silence the guns, stop promoting conflict, respect the borders and independence of DR Congo." He continued.

“Thousands of people have been killed in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo; hundreds of thousands have been forced from their homes. Silence the guns! Stop the escalation. Respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Democratic Republic of Congo.”

The UN chief affirmed that there is no military solution to the crisis. 

He said it is time for all signatories to the Peace, Security and Cooperation Framework for the DRC and the region to honour their commitments. 

His remarks come as the latest chapter in a decades-long conflict unfolds, with the M23 rebels consolidating their hold over North Kivu with reports indicating that Goma, the provincial capital, is effectively under siege, with exit routes blocked and its airport shut down indefinitely.

United Nations reports show that from January 2024, approximately 4,000 Rwandan soldiers entered DR Congo to help M23 directly.

The report also shows that after the rebels of M23 captured the town of Rubaya with the rare mineral Coltan, the mineral has been smuggled in large quantities through Rwanda using trucks.

Against this backdrop, regional leaders from the East African Community (EAC) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) will meet in Dar es Salaam under the leadership of Tanzanian President Samia Hassan.

The summit aims to chart a path towards a lasting solution, but expectations remain low.

Previous diplomatic efforts have yielded little beyond statements of concern and recycled resolutions.

Both the EAC and SADC have a stake in the conflict — some member states have deployed troops, others are navigating the complex web of alliances and rivalries.

But history suggests that without concrete action, this latest gathering risks being yet another exercise in diplomacy without consequence.

For now, the guns remain loud, and the exodus from eastern Congo continues.