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The joint East African Community (EAC) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Summit on the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has come up with concrete resolutions aimed at addressing the escalating security crisis in the eastern region.
In his speech at the summit held in Tanzania, HE Emmerson Mnangagwa, the President of Zimbabwe, said the historic summit of the two regional blocs was a testament to the shared commitment to the founding values of the African Union.
“Such joint initiatives must see us scale up bold and decisive actions to silence the guns on our continent, but must immediately implement lasting solutions to the escalating conflict and humanitarian crises in Eastern DRC.
“Undoubtedly, ongoing instability, growing hostilities, and the ever-increasing number of internally displaced persons in the Eastern DRC have far-reaching consequences, not only for the people of DRC alone but also for our regions and the African continent as a whole. Therefore, the unity, solidarity, and unbreakable bonds of the peoples of the continent must stand the test of such trying times as we face. We must remain as solidly united as we were during the struggle for complete emancipation and independence of Africa from colonialism,” President Mnangagwa said.
He said the two RECs have a duty and a collective responsibility to comprehensively, frankly, and securely provide peace for the people of Eastern DRC.
“Drawing from our rich African values and heritage, and further emboldened by the spirit and letter of the United Nations Charter, the Constitutive Act of the African Union, as well as the treaties of both SADC and the EAC, let us seize this opportunity to ensure convergence and a coordinated response which is mutually reinforcing towards one common objective I thus challenge all of us to approach the agenda before us with openness, honesty, flexibility, and commitment to building a lasting peace for Mother Africa
“The all-encompassing interests of the people of DRC must be at the core of our deliberations. Let us do much more to realize sustainable peace in our sister republic of DRC in our lifetime. To date, SADC notes and acknowledges the progress made under the Rwanda and Nairobi processes,” President Mnangagwa added.
HE William, Ruto, the President of Kenya and Chairperson of EAC noted that the east region of DRC has been engulfed in a devastating conflict for over two decades.
“This tragedy has claimed thousands of lives, displaced countless civilians, inflicted unbearable suffering and loss, and set back the development momentum of one of the most promising countries in the world. The recent escalation of hostilities in Goma and the surrounding areas is a stark reminder of the increasing fragility the situation presents and that only collective action to facilitate a negotiated solution will offer relief.
“Today, we join together to reiterate our calls to the parties to this tragic conflict to immediately cease hostilities and take positive action to allow meaningful dialogue aimed at restoration of stability. Specifically, we stand together to call on all parties to actualize the ceasefire and specifically on the M23 to hold further advancement and the armed forces of DRC to cease all retaliatory measures,” President Ruto said.
He added that an immediate ceasefire is the only way by which the RECs can create necessary conditions for constructive dialogue and implementation of a comprehensive peace agreement.
“As members of the African Union and United Nations, we stand bound by fundamental principles of respect for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of nations and the principle of good neighbourliness. These twin principles are the surest safeguards for the realization of peaceful coexistence,” President Ruto said
