Story by Oleen Ndori, Foreign Desk Editor
SADC Chairperson President Emmerson Mnangagwa says the region remains committed to finding lasting peace in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and welcomes international support, including from the United Nations Security Council.
Addressing the opening session of the Extraordinary Virtual Summit of SADC Heads of State and Government, the regional bloc’s Chairperson said instability in the DRC is affecting the whole region, calling for concerted efforts to resolve the conflict.
“Following our last gathering in Harare, we convened in the historic joint SADC and the East African Community (EAC), Summit, in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. During that meeting, we adopted clear resolutions towards finding common ground on the security and humanitarian situation in the eastern parts of DRC. At continental and global levels, both the African Union Peace and Security Council and the United Nations Security Council, respectively, reiterated our calls for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire and cessation of hostilities.
“As we convene today, we remain cognisant of the fact that repercussions of the instability extend beyond the DRC borders, affecting the broader region at large. It is noteworthy that the implementation of the resolutions of the Joint SADC-EAC Summit is now underway,” he said.
He said the region welcomes efforts by the international community to end the conflict in the eastern part of DRC, revealing that both the African Union and the United Nations Security Council have reiterated calls for an immediate ceasefire and cessation of hostilities in the Eastern DRC.
“Emphasis must be on collaborative strategies to improve peace and security in the DRC. SADC thus, welcomes efforts by the international community to end the conflict, particularly, the adoption of Resolution 2773 by the United Nations Security Council. This resonates with the ongoing initiatives by our African Regional bodies. As SADC, we reaffirm our commitment to play our part in promoting lasting and sustainable peace.
“In this regard, an inclusive and comprehensive dialogue process is essential to strengthen security mechanisms that safeguard the human rights and dignity of the affected communities. Undoubtedly, there have been many setbacks and challenges in our quest for peace in eastern DRC. Our shared goal is to see a secure and prosperous DRC. To achieve this, we must constantly take stock of the decisions we adopt from time to time,” President Mnangagwa said.
President Mnangagwa said the region remains committed to promoting lasting peace in the DRC through an inclusive dialogue process.
Addressing the summit, SADC Executive Secretary His Excellency Elias Magosi said the security situation in the Eastern DRC remains a cause for concern.
“The security situation in eastern DRC is worrisome and continues to be a concern for the region. The attacks by the M23 Armed Group against DRC Government Forces, SAMIDRC troops, and the civilian population, and the subsequent capture of various cities and towns in the area, have resulted in the loss of lives and injuries, and led to a sharp increase in internally displaced persons, forcing many people, particularly women, children, the elderly and disabled, to flee their homes.
“SADC strongly condemns the unwarranted attacks on innocent people by the rebel groups and is resolute in standing in solidarity with our sister country, to address the prevailing security challenges through the relevant SADC structures,” he said.
He added that member states must embrace and nurture various peace processes proposed by both SADC and EAC.
“The EAC-SADC engagement process must be protected and nurtured. It is probably the only structure in recent times that has brought some level of trust for both the DRC and Rwanda, and hope to multiple stakeholders, namely the SADC and EAC regions, the African Union Peace and Security Council, the UN Security Council, and the international community. The two RECs must, therefore, jealously guard this structure and ensure it does not become another failed process.
“We must do everything in our power, as SADC especially, and ensure this structure achieves its objectives, and that it remains credible, trusted and free from blemishes. Even as it interacts with both Luanda and Nairobi processes and with the African Union structures, the EAC-SADC engagement process should be without reproach.”
The virtual indaba follows the Virtual Extraordinary Organ Troika Summit of Heads of State and Government held on March 6.
