Faith Chandianya, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings over three years of experience covering politics and Current Affairs in Kenya

President William Ruto convened a meeting with East African presidents on Wednesday, January 29, to discuss the worsening security crisis in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

East African Community (EAC) heads of state, including Tanzania’s Samia Suluhu, Uganda’s Yoweri Museveni, Burundi’s Évariste Ndayishimiye, South Sudan’s Salva Kiir, and Rwanda’s Paul Kagame, attended the meeting.

However, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) President Félix Tshisekedi did not attend the EAC Heads of State Extraordinary Summit.

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Tshisekedi, through his spokesperson Tina Salama, had previously announced that he would miss the meeting due to scheduling conflicts.

Reports indicated that instead of attending the EAC summit, Tshisekedi chose to participate in a meeting organised by the Southern African Development Community (SADC) to discuss the same security issues.

Relations between the DRC and EAC member states have been strained, with the country accusing the bloc of showing bias.

This left Ruto, also the chairman of the East African Community, in a difficult position, as the president of the country at the centre of the discussions was absent.

According to a communiqué from the head of state, the summit discussed the worsening security situation and development in eastern DRC, which has led to loss of life and a humanitarian crisis.

The summit also expressed condolences to the families of those who lost loved ones in the security crisis and wished the injured a speedy recovery.

"The summit expressed concerns about the expanding crisis manifesting in the attacks on diplomatic missions, embassies and staff based in Kinshasa. Accordingly, the summit urged the DRC government to protect diplomatic missions, lives and properties," the statement read in part.

The heads of state at the summit also urged the DRC government to engage directly with the stakeholders behind the war, including M23 and other involved parties, to ensure the issue is resolved.

Recognizing that SADC is also involved in eastern DRC, the summit decided to hold a joint EAC-SADC meeting to discuss the next steps regarding the war.

"The chairperson was mandated to consult with the chairperson of SADC on the urgent convening of the same in the next few days."

Source: TUKO.co.ke