In a joint communique issued after the summit held in Dar es Salaam in Tanzania, the leaders said all forms of fighting needed to cease in eastern DRC to resolve the conflict peacefully.
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The joint summit of the heads of state and government of the East African Community (EAC) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) has called for an immediate cessation of hostilities in the Democratic Republic of Congo-DRC.
In a joint communique issued after the summit held in Dar es Salaam in Tanzania, the leaders said all forms of fighting needed to cease in eastern DRC to resolve the conflict peacefully. Two weeks ago, rebels of the M23 that are said to be supported by Rwanda overrun the DRC eastern city of Goma leading to the death of over 3000 people and displacement of hundreds of thousands of others according to the United Nations. M23 has even promised to continue their march until they overrun Kinshasa, the DRC capital.
In the communique, the Joint Summit noted that there is no other way of solving the crisis other than through discussions. "The Joint Summit considered the report of the joint Meeting of Ministers of EAC and SADC on the security situation in Eastern DRC and emphasized that political and diplomatic engagement is the most sustainable solution to the conflict,” the communique reads in part.
This is why the Joint Summit directed the EAC-SADC Chiefs of Defense Forces to meet within five days and provide technical direction on the; restoration of essential utilities and supply lines for food and other essential commodities to ensure humanitarian support and peaceful resolution of the conflict through the Luanda/Nairobi process. The CDFs were also tasked with coming up with mechanisms for achieving an immediate and unconditional ceasefire and cessation of hostilities and the provision of humanitarian assistance including repatriation of the deceased and evacuation of the injured. They were also tasked with developing a securitization plan for Goma and surrounding areas, opening of main supply routes to the different parts surrounding Goma and also an immediately reopening of the airport in the area.
“The Joint Summit directed resumption of direct negotiations and dialogue with all state and non-state parties including the M23 and under the framework of the Luanda/Nairobi process,” the statement reads in part.
The EAC, and SADC leaders also condemned the attack 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.”
When M23 captured Goma, there were attacks on the embassies of different countries by demonstrators accusing these countries of complicity in the conflict. The embassies attacked included that of Uganthe da, the United States of America, France, and Belgium among others.
Speaking at the opening session of the meeting, President Samia Suluhu Hassan of Tanzania emphasised that dialogue is the best way to achieve lasting peace and security in the DRC. She stated that all parties should be engaged in dialogue and mediation to find possible solutions to the situation in the DRC. “This meeting provides us with an opportunity to demonstrate our readiness and commitment to seeking peace and security for our brothers and neighbours in the DRC. I hope that, through our unity, we will carry out this duty with the highest level of integrity,” Suluhu said.
The Chairman of the EAC and President of Kenya, William Ruto, reiterated calls to the parties in the conflict to immediately cease hostilities and take positive actions to allow meaningful dialogue aimed at restoring stability. “We stand together to call on all parties to actualise the ceasefire; and specifically, on the M23 to halt further advancements, and the armed forces of the DRC, to cease all retaliatory measures. An immediate ceasefire is the only way by which we can create the necessary conditions for constructive dialogue and the implementation of a comprehensive peace agreement,” he said.
SADC Chairperson and the President of Zimbabwe, Emmerson Mnangagwa, urged the meeting to develop a comprehensive strategy to resolve the long-standing conflict in the DRC, noting that its impact has not only affected the well-being of the DRC but also the entire EAC and SADC.
The meeting was co-chaired by the Chairman of the EAC William Samoei Ruto, the Chairman of SADC Emmerson Mnangagwa. Also in attendance were; President Museveni, Félix Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo, President of the Democratic Republic of Congo; Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa, President of South Africa, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, President of Somalia, Paul Kagame President of Rwanda, Hakainde Hichilema, President of Zambia.
Others were; Lt Gen. Gervais Ndirakobuca, the Prime Minister, representing Evariste Ndayishimiye, President of Burundi, Ambassador Téte António, Minister of External Relations, of Angola representing President João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço, Nancy Gladys Tembo, Minister of Foreign Affairs, representing Dr Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera, President of Malawi, Deng Alor Kuol, Minister of East African Community Affairs, representing, Salva Kiir Mayardit, President of South Sudan, Lt. Gen. Lala Monja Delphin Sahivelo, Minister of the Armed Forces, representing Andry Rajoelina, President of Madagascar. Also in attendance was Moussa Faki Mahamat, Chairperson of the African Union Commission.
