In a last-minute attempt to come up with a solution to the crisis that has been besetting the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Uganda’s Chief of Defense Forces, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, flew into Nairobi today morning for an emergency meeting of East African Community (EAC) highest military commanders. The talks, which bring together defense officials from Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, the DRC, South Sudan, and Somalia, aim to end the deepening conflict in eastern DRC, a region that has been a theater of conflict and instability for decades. Gen. Kainerugaba, accompanied by Major General James Birungi, the Chief of Defense Intelligence and Security, and other senior UPDF officials, highlighted the importance of regional cooperation in resolving the crisis.

“Our collective focus on the security concerns of the Democratic Republic of the Congo is a manifestation of the spirit of cooperation that binds the East African Community,” he stated. The summit is a follow-up to the instructions given at the Joint EAC-SADC Summit of the Heads of State on February 8, 2025, in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. The leaders in the region had tasked the Chiefs of Defense Forces with the mandate of providing technical counsel to bring an end to the conflict. The situation in eastern DRC remains critical, with the M23 rebel movement still capturing strategic towns, including Goma and Bukavu. The region has been destroyed by bloodshed for many decades, and numerous armed outfits, including the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), have been stoking the crisis.

The ADF, based in Uganda, has been the constant source of terror, despite concerted efforts by the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) and the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC). In accordance with the UPDF, ADF capability has been heavily depleted, leaving scattered remnants behind in the Congolese jungles. In a similar development, the UPDF recently deployed into Bunia, the capital of Ituri Province, in a joint operation with the FARDC. The move was greeted by locals, who have endured decades of violence and instability. The regional forces in Bunia are seen as a step towards bringing peace and security back to the region, but there is still much to be done. The Nairobi summit provides a crucial opportunity for EAC defense chiefs to strategize and coordinate their operations. The conflict in eastern DRC is not a regional issue in isolation; it has regional implications for the entire region. The violence has caused massive displacement, with millions of people having been displaced from their homes. It has also created fertile ground for illegal trade, including smuggling and natural resource exploitation. For Uganda, the DRC crisis in the east is particularly of interest due to the shared border with the DRC and the presence of Ugandan rebel groups like the ADF.

The UPDF has been quite involved in stabilizing the region, but the character of the conflict calls for a regional concerted effort.

The Nairobi summit is a chance for EAC member states to exchange their resources and expertise so that they can tackle the root causes of the conflict and set up permanent solutions.

The Nairobi negotiations are likely to address a series of fundamental issues, including consolidating common military operations, improving intelligence sharing, and addressing the humanitarian crisis in the region. The generals will also weigh mechanisms for supporting political and diplomatic efforts to stop the conflict. While military intervention is necessitated in order to restore security, it is mostly realized that a sustainable resolution requires that the underlying issues, such as issues of governance, economic inequalities, and ethnic tensions, be addressed. Gen. Kainerugaba’s attendance at the negotiations is a testament to Uganda’s commitment to regional stability. As the son of the president and a high-ranking military officer, Gen. Kainerugaba is well-experienced and highly influential. His presence at the meeting shows that Uganda is ready to play a leading role in resolving the crisis.

The Nairobi summit brings to mind regional cooperation to combat complex issues. While the EAC has come far in advancing economic integration as well as political cooperation, security is still atop the agenda. The war in east DRC tests the capacity of the EAC to work together towards common goals. As the commanders are convening in Nairobi, the people of eastern DRC continue to suffer. It is hoped that this session will usher in concrete steps towards peace and stability in the region. Meanwhile, work goes on to find solutions to the immediate security challenges as well as the underlying causes of the conflict. The story of the DRC crisis is one of hope, resilience, and suffering. It is one that reminds us of the importance of regional solidarity and collective action. As the EAC military chiefs meet in Nairobi, the world waits with bated breath in anticipation of a better tomorrow for the people of eastern DRC and the region at large.