Heads of State and Government from the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) and East Africa Community (EAC) have issued a clarion call for “political and diplomatic engagement” by all parties, including M23 rebels, in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Leaders from the two regional blocs, including President Cyril Ramaphosa, attended an urgent joint SADC-EAC Heads of State and Government Summit as tensions, and casualties, in the DRC conflict continue to escalate.
A communiqué was released following the conclusion of the Joint Summit held at Dar Es Salaam in Tanzania on Saturday.
“The Joint Summit directed resumption of direct negotiations and dialogue with all state and non-state parties [military and non-military] including the M23 and under the framework of the Luanda/Nairobi process,” the communiqué said.
The conflict has claimed the lives of 14 South African National Defence Force members in addition to soldiers from other SADC countries who were part of a peacekeeping mission in the DRC.
Furthermore, the United Nations reports that the crisis has also killed 3000 people and injured at least 2800 others since January 26.
“The Joint Summit expressed concern on the deteriorating security situation in Eastern DRC which has resulted in the loss of lives, creating a humanitarian crisis as well as suffering of people in particular women and children.
“The Joint Summit also expressed concern about the escalating crisis manifesting in attacks on Diplomatic Missions, Embassies and Staff based in Kinshasa and urged the Government of DRC to protect lives and property as well as upholding long lasting legal and moral principles of respecting peace missions in DRC such as MONUSCO and the others.
“The Joint Summit also expressed condolences for the loss of lives in the recent attacks and also wished a speedy recovery to the injured,” the communiqué read.
The Joint Summit was preceded by meetings of foreign ministers and senior officials from both regional blocs.
“The Joint Summit considered the report of the joint Meeting of Ministers of EAC and SADC on the security situation in Eastern DRC and emphasised that political and diplomatic engagement is the most sustainable solution to the conflict in the eastern DRC,” the communiqué continued.
Way forward
The EAC-SADC Chiefs of Defence Forces (CDFs) have been directed to meet within five days to “provide technical direction” on:
- immediate and unconditional ceasefire and cessation of hostilities;
- provision of humanitarian assistance including repatriation of the deceased and evacuation of the injured;
- develop a securitisation plan for Goma and surrounding areas;
- immediate re-opening of Goma Airport; and
- advise on other related facilitative interventions.
“The Joint Summit reaffirmed the critical role of both the Luanda and Nairobi processes and directed that the two be merged into a Luanda/Nairobi Process.
“The Joint Summit further resolved to strengthen the two processes to enhance complementarity and mandated the co-chairs, in consultation with the African Union, to consider and appoint additional facilitators, including from other regions of Africa to support the merged process.
“The Joint Summit called for the implementation of the Concept of Operations (CONOPS) of the harmonized plan for neutralization of FDLR and the lifting of Rwanda’s defensive measures/disengagement of forces from the DRC as agreed in the Luanda process,” read the communiqué.
A joint meeting of EAC and SADC ministers is expected to be held within 30 days to discuss:
- the Report of the Joint Meeting of CDFs on the ceasefire and cessation of hostilities;
- establishment of secretariat level technical coordination mechanism to monitor implementation of the Joint Summit Decisions
- an elaborate roadmap detailing immediate, medium and long-term implementation measures including financing modalities; and
- address all other residual issues relating to the attainment of sustainable peace and security in eastern DRC and make appropriate recommendations to the next Joint meeting of the EAC-SADC Summit.
“The Joint Summit directed that modalities for withdrawal of uninvited foreign armed forces from the territory of the DRC be developed and implemented.
“The Joint Summit reaffirmed solidarity and unwavering commitment to continue supporting the DRC in its pursuit of safeguarding its independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity as well as sustainable peace, security and development,” the communiqué concluded. – SAnews.gov.za
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