Rwanda has been denied the chance to assume the rotating presidency of the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) due to ongoing tensions linked to the conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
At a high-level ECCAS meeting held in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, both DRC and Burundi opposed Rwanda’s planned leadership role in the 11-nation regional bloc. As a result, ECCAS decided to extend the acting presidency of Equatorial Guinea’s President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo for another year, shelving the handover to Rwanda.
A statement from the summit confirmed the postponement and cited the need to maintain unity within the community. According to an ECCAS official present at the meeting, discussions were strained, particularly between the Rwandan and Congolese delegations. The official noted that DR Congo made it clear they would not participate in any community activities held in Rwanda if Kigali were to take over the bloc’s leadership. Burundi also shared this stance.
Tensions between the DRC and Rwanda have intensified in recent months. Kinshasa accuses Kigali of backing the M23 rebel group, which has captured large parts of eastern Congo. Rwanda has denied the accusations, but the presence and actions of M23 continue to stir regional instability.
Burundi, which shares a border with the DRC, has also taken an active role in the conflict. Since 2023, the Burundian government has deployed over 10,000 troops to support Congolese forces fighting M23 and other armed groups in the region.
Efforts toward resolving the conflict are ongoing. On Thursday, Qatari mediators presented a peace proposal to both the DRC government and representatives from M23. The contents of the proposal have not been made public, but sources familiar with the talks describe it as a step toward a potential settlement.
The decision to block Rwanda’s ECCAS presidency underlines how regional tensions continue to influence broader political and economic cooperation. For now, ECCAS will continue under its current leadership while the region navigates the complex path toward peace and stability.
By Lucky Anyanje