Story by Oleen Ndori, Foreign Desk Editor
THE Quadripartite Council of Ministers has applauded major inroads that have been made towards ensuring peace within the SADC region as part of the vision to silence guns across Africa.
Chairperson of the African Union Peace and Security Council for the month of June and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Ambassador Fredrick Shava, who addressed the Council of Ministers in Luanda, Angola this Monday, noted that the positive inroads made in ending conflict in the DRC must be applauded in the spirit of finding lasting solutions to African challenges.
“Let me take this opportunity to appreciate the African Union Commission, for convening this important meeting, which came up with the Comprehensive Joint Master Plan to coordinate and harmonise the peace efforts in the Eastern DRC.
“The urgent need to fully implement this Joint Master Plan is a litmus test to our resolve to ensure that the principle of African solutions to African problems works. We, therefore, look forward to the adoption of the Comprehensive Joint Master Plan by the Summit tomorrow. As the African Union Peace and Security Council, we appreciate the Chairpersons of the different RECs and Regional Mechanisms, for their invaluable contribution to the quest for peace, stability and development in the eastern DRC.
“We also appreciate the African Union for bringing the two concerned countries and the various peace initiatives under the umbrella of one consolidated process. This is proof that in unity we can give the necessary internal impetus to the principle of African solutions to African problems, whose success we all desire,” said Ambassador Shava.
Angola’s Minister of Foreign and External Affairs, Honourable Tete Antonio said the quadripartite summit is expected to play a key role in the continental response to conflict.
“The aim of the quadripartite summit is reflective of our commitment to peace across Africa and our country reiterates its commitment to finding peaceful resolutions to the situation in the DRC and other countries that are faced with insurgency and conflict,” said Minister Tete.
The Quadripartite Heads of State and Government Summit to be hosted by Angola this Tuesday will bring together four Regional Economic Communities and Regional Mechanisms of Africa to deliberate and adopt the Comprehensive Joint Master Plan to end the conflict in the DRC and other regions faced with conflict and insurgency across Africa.
