On 21 December 2025, Uganda hosted a special regional security summit at State House, Entebbe, convening African leaders and envoys to address the persistent conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The summit aimed to accelerate peace efforts amid continued violence involving the March 23 (M23) rebels and other armed groups in the region.
Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, chairing the summit, emphasized the urgency of regional coordination, stating that “the security and stability of the Great Lakes region require African solutions led by African countries.” The summit also highlighted the need to complement ongoing international mediation efforts, such as the Washington and Doha agreements, with stronger regional mechanisms.
Rwandan Minister of Interior, Vincent Biruta, addressed the summit, stressing Kigali’s commitment to peace and the need for full implementation of prior agreements. He stated, “the main challenge lies in the lack of implementation of agreements already reached,” and highlighted that Rwanda remains ready to support efforts to neutralize armed groups operating across the border.
Biruta specifically addressed the threat posed by the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), calling them a major destabilizing factor in eastern Congo. He said that the presence of FDLR elements in DRC continues to undermine trust and security. A clear and neutral strategy to disarm or neutralize these groups is essential for lasting peace. He added that the security of Rwanda and the wider Great Lakes region cannot be separated from the FDLR threat.
During the summit, DRC President Félix Tshisekedi highlighted the continued presence of M23 in strategic areas such as Uvira, urging that a neutral verification force be deployed to ensure withdrawal and protect civilians. He warned that any delay in implementing the agreements risks undermining the credibility of the peace process. However, the Alliance Fleuve Congo (AFC), which includes the M23, stated last week that it had unilaterally withdrawn its forces from the strategic town of Uvira, describing this as a “confidence‑building measure” to support ongoing peace efforts, including the Doha peace process.
The leaders collectively called for regional frameworks such as the East African Community (EAC) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) to take a leading role in stabilizing eastern DRC, supported but not directed by international partners. Uganda’s role as host underscores its growing influence in coordinating African-led solutions to regional security crises.
The Kampala summit concluded with a renewed commitment to follow-up consultations and operational plans, including verification of rebel withdrawals, neutralization of armed groups such as the FDLR, and strengthened regional cooperation to secure eastern DRC and its border areas. Observers emphasized that the next steps will be critical to translating diplomatic statements into tangible security improvements on the ground.
