Leaders from the East African Community (EAC) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) have directed regional chiefs of defence forces to enforce a ceasefire in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The leaders on Saturday met in Dar es Salaam, the Tanzanian capital for a high-stakes joint summit aimed at addressing the worsening security crisis in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
The situation in Eastern DRC escalated recently, with M23 rebels capturing Goma City, forcing thousands of locals to flee,raising concerns about regional security and humanitarian aid.
Over 3,000 people have been killed in the North and South Kivu provinces of Congo.
In a joint communique issued, the leaders expressed concern over the deteriorating situation in eastern DRC manifested on attacks on diplomatic missions, embassies and staff based in Kinshasa .
They urged the DRC government to protect lives and property as well as ensuring respect to diplomatic missions.
The summit also directed regional army chiefs to ensure a ceasefire is enforced .
“The Joint Summit directed the EAC-SADC Chiefs of Defense Forces to meet within five (5) days and provide technical direction on immediate and unconditional ceasefire and cessation of hostilities,” the joint communique said in part.
The leaders also directed the opening of Main Supply Routes, including Goma-Sake-Bukavu; Goma-Kibumba-Rumangabo-Kalengera-Rutshuru-Bunagana; and Goma-Kiwanja-Rwindi-Kanyabayonga-Lubero, including navigation on Lake Kivu between Goma and Bukavu which are controlled by M23 rebels.
The summit also directed the resumption of direct negotiations and dialogue with all state and non-state parties (military and non-military), including the M23, under the framework of the Luanda/Nairobi process.
Attendance
The meeting was co-chaired by the Chairman of the EAC and President of the Republic of Kenya, William Samoei Ruto, the Chairman of SADC and President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, Emmerson Mnangagwa, and their host, the President of the United Republic of Tanzania, Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan.
Also in attendance were President Museveni, Félix Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo(attended virtually), Cyril Ramaphosa, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, President of the Federal Republic of Somalia; Paul Kagame, Hakainde Hichilema, President of the Republic of Zambia, Lieutenant General Gervais Ndirakobuca, the Prime Minister, representing Evariste Ndayishimiye and Ambassador Téte António Minister of External Relations for Angola among others.
The opening session of the Joint Summit was also attended by Moussa Faki Mahamat, Chairperson of the African Union Commission.
