By Brian Kiprono - Reporter
Kenya, 21 December 2025 - Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni on Sunday convened an emergency regional summit in Entebbe, bringing together leaders and envoys to confront the rapidly worsening security situation in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and its spillover across the Great Lakes region.
The ad hoc meeting, held at State House, focused on renewed fighting in North and South Kivu, where clashes between the M23 rebel movement, Congolese government forces and allied militias have displaced hundreds of thousands of civilians and reignited regional tensions.
President Museveni said the discussions reflected a shared determination among neighbouring countries to pursue cooperation rather than confrontation. “I am encouraged by the discussions and the strong commitment of participating countries to collaborate for lasting peace and stability in the Great Lakes region,” he said after chairing the talks.
The summit comes at a delicate moment. Earlier this month, the M23 group announced it would pull its fighters from the strategic city of Uvira in South Kivu, describing the move as a goodwill gesture to support ongoing peace efforts under Qatari mediation. The rebels said the withdrawal followed progress in the Doha peace process and appeals from international mediators, including the United States.
However, the group warned that previous withdrawals had been followed by retaliatory advances from Congolese forces and local militias, placing civilians at risk. It called for neutral mechanisms to manage vacated areas, including demilitarisation, protection of civilians and independent monitoring of ceasefire commitments.
On the ground, residents of Uvira and surrounding areas have endured days of shelling and gunfire. Many families fled across the border into Burundi, where authorities temporarily closed crossings as refugee numbers surged. Schools and businesses were shuttered, leaving communities cut off from basic services.
More from Kenya
Diplomatic efforts have intensified in recent weeks. A US-brokered agreement signed in Washington between Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi and Rwandan President Paul Kagame pledged a permanent ceasefire and regional cooperation. Yet the deal excludes M23, highlighting the fragmented nature of current peace initiatives.
The United Nations has warned that the humanitarian situation is deteriorating fast. Recent fighting has displaced an estimated 200,000 people, with dozens killed or injured, while Burundi reports tens of thousands of new refugees.
Against this backdrop, Museveni’s Entebbe summit is being closely watched as a test of African-led diplomacy. Regional leaders insist that only sustained dialogue, mutual trust and coordinated action can halt the cycle of violence that has haunted eastern Congo for decades
