President Ramaphosa in Tanzania for ‘urgent’ DRC conflict talks

President Cyril Ramaphosa has arrived in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania to attend the joint Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) – East Africa Community (EAC) Heads of State and Government Summit on the security situation in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

The President is accompanied by International Relations and Cooperation Minister Ronald Lamola and Defence Military Veterans Angie Motshekga as well as senior government officials.

According to the Presidency, the African leaders agreed to meet urgently “following their respective extraordinary Summits held last month to deliberate on the way forward regarding” the conflict in the DRC.

“The Extraordinary SADC Summit held last month mandated the SADC Organ Troika on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation, to engage all state and non-state parties to the conflict on a ceasefire process to protect lives and facilitate a smooth flow of humanitarian support to people and communities affected by the armed conflict.

“It also urged political and diplomatic leaders who are parties to the conflict to engage in a coordinated effort of dialogue, including supporting the Luanda Process, MONUSCO [United Nations Organisation Stabilisation Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo] and others, to restore peace and security in Eastern DRC,” the Presidency explained. – SAnews.gov.za