Regional leaders seek end to DRC conflict . . .No country should support armed groups in the region

Fungi Kwaramba in DAR ES SALAAM, Tanzania

AFRICA must draw from its shared historical solidarity and the unity it used to dismantle colonialism to free the people of the Democratic Republic of Congo from wars and conflict that undermine development, SADC chairperson President Mnangagwa has said.

Addressing the opening session of the joint summit between SADC and the East African Community (EAC), the President said Africa should not let the people of the DRC down but must find the solution to silence the guns and engender enduring peace in the Great Lakes region through honest dialogue.

“The unity, solidarity and unbreakable bonds of the peoples of the continent must stand the test of such trying times,” he said.

“We must remain as solidly united as we were during the struggle for the complete emancipation and independence of Africa from colonialism.

Sadc Chairperson President Mnangagwa flanked by his counterparts Zambia’s President Hakainde Hichilema, (left) Tanzanian President Samia Saluhu Hassan (right) and SADC Executive Secretary Elias Magosi (second from left) shares a lighter moment during a photo session at the Joint summit of SADC and East African Community Heads of State and Government in Tanzania yesterday. – Picture: Presidential Photographer Joseph Nyadzayo

“We, thus, have a duty and collective responsibility to comprehensively, frankly tackle and address the various challenges that are impeding the realisation of peace and security 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.”

President Mnangagwa said talks among regional leaders must always be carried with openness, honesty, flexibility and a commitment to building lasting peace.

“The all-encompassing interests of the people of the DRC must be at the core of our deliberations.

Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame (centre), and other delegates follow proceedings while Democratic Republic of Congo President Félix Tshisekedi (on screen) follow virtualy the Joint Summit of SADC and East African Community Heads of State and Government in Tanzania yesterday. – Picture: Presidential Photographer Joseph Nyadzayo

“Let us do much more to realise sustainable peace in our sister republic of the DRC in our lifetime.

“To date, SADC notes and acknowledges the progress made under the Luanda and Nairobi processes, aimed at silencing the guns as well as facilitating dialogue among all parties to the conflict.

“As the leaders entrusted to nurture and facilitate unity, peace and development in this epoch, we cannot let the peoples of our regions down; their hope is in us.”

Thus, President Mnangagwa added, SADC remains unwavering and committed to continue playing its part in finding peace among warring parties in the DRC.

He said the holding of the joint summit between the EAC and SADC was testament to the two blocs’ commitment to the values of the African Union (AU).

The conflict in the DRC, President Mnangagwa said, has far-reaching consequences for Africa and the world at large.

“This historic summit of our two regional blocs is testament to our 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 most immediately, implement lasting solutions to the escalating conflict and humanitarian crisis in the eastern DRC.

“Undoubtedly, ongoing instability, growing hostilities and the ever-increasing number of internally displaced persons in the eastern DRC has far-reaching consequences, not only for the people of the DRC alone, but also for our regions and the African continent as a whole.”

Speaking to journalists upon his return from the summit last night, President Mnangagwa said the meeting emphasised the need for regional cooperation in addressing insecurity in the eastern DRC.

He said the two blocs had resolved that no individual country should support armed groups responsible for conflict and displacement in the region.

The summit, co-chaired by President Mnangagwa in his capacity as SADC chairperson and Kenyan President William Ruto as EAC chairperson, focused on strategies to restore peace in the conflict-ridden region.

“Well, it was a joint summit of SADC and East African communities and the main issues were the issues of insecurity in the eastern DRC,” said the President.

“It was an attempt by the two blocs — SADC and East African Community — to deal with that insecurity.

“Trying to find ways where the two blocs can help create peace in that region and identify the parties that are involved in the military contestation in the eastern DRC.

“Of course, it was very difficult, but in the end, it was all resolved that all member states should make sure that they do not support groups, armed groups in the region, to cause insecurity on the continent and in that particular area.”

Despite the complexity of the situation, he said, consensus was reached that all member states must refrain from supporting or arming any militant groups operating in the region.

“Of course, there was no member state that came forward to say they were supporting an army . . . but it was very clear that these groups were actually allowed to operate from certain member states who were at the conference.

“And that everything must be done to silence the guns. And that they should not be rendered any support by any member state.”

President Mnangagwa acknowledged that no formal monitoring mechanism was established, but stressed that it remained the duty of sovereign states to prevent armed groups from causing further displacement and loss of life.

The summit reaffirmed the need for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire, cessation of hostilities and peaceful resolution through the Luanda/Nairobi Process.

Chiefs of defence forces from the two blocs’ member countries were directed to ensure immediate ceasefire enforcement, repatriation of the deceased and evacuation of the injured. They were also directed to facilitate humanitarian aid,  as well as develop a security plan for Goma and surrounding areas.

The summit also resolved to merge the Luanda and Nairobi processes into a single framework for conflict resolution, with additional facilitators from across Africa appointed to strengthen the initiative.

In addition, the regional leaders directed the resumption of direct negotiations with all state and non-state actors, including M23, within the Luanda/Nairobi Process framework, while calling for implementation of the Concept of Operations to neutralise the FDLR and facilitate Rwanda’s disengagement from the DRC.

SADC and the EAC convened a joint summit yesterday to try and find a lasting solution to the DRC crisis, which has seen rebel groups taking over towns in the eastern parts of the vast country.

DRC’s President Felix Tshisekedi attended the joint summit virtually, while other Great Lakes region leaders like Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame and Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni were also in attendance.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and Zambian leader Hakainde Hichilema also attended the historic summit.