President William Ruto has revealed that he has spoken to France’s President Emmanuel Macron over the volatile situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
In a statement on Monday, January 27, 2025, Ruto said that Macron had agreed to support regional efforts to deal with the challenge in DRC.
“I have spoken to President @EmmanuelMacron of France on the situation in the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. He has expressed support for the regional efforts to deal with the challenge. President Macron also committed his country’s support for the interventions being carried out, and for Kenya’s participation in other peace initiatives in Somalia, Sudan and South Sudan,” Ruto stated.
According to the United Nations, the escalating violence in the eastern DRC has displaced 237,000 people this year alone.
“Escalating clashes between non-State armed groups and the Congolese army in North and South Kivu provinces are intensifying one of the world’s most alarming yet under-reported humanitarian crises,” said UNHCR spokesperson Eujin Byun in a briefing in Geneva.
The violence has led to widespread human rights violations and massive forced displacement, with North and South Kivu already hosting 4.6 million internally displaced people.
“Humanitarian access is severely limited, leaving displaced populations in desperate need of shelter, food, clean water, and medical care. Safe and unimpeded access for aid workers must be guaranteed,” emphasized the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.
Ruto’s plea on DRC
Earlier on Sunday, January 26, 2025, Ruto joined other global leaders in raising concerns over escalating hostilities in DRC.
Ruto, the chairperson of the East African Community, lamented that the insecurity situation in the eastern part of DRC was sliding out of hand, noting that ongoing military actions, including the closure of airspace in Goma, had exacerbated the situation.
“The escalating deteriorating peace and security situation in the DRC is of grave concern. The humanitarian crisis is being exacerbated by ongoing military actions, including the closure of airspace in Goma,” Ruto’s statement read in part.
Ruto’s statement came after rebels of the M23 movement claimed they had taken control of the city of Goma in the Democratic Republic of Congo’s east.
This was after hours of intensive gunfire and explosives in that eastern part of the country.
