The East African Heads-Of-State have instructed that a regional Force should in cooperation with the military and administrative forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) seek to stabilize and secure the peace in the new member of the East African Community (EAC).
DRC is currently faced with political instabilities caused by rebel and militia groups such as M23.
The understanding was reached during a Septet Summit and third Conclave of the EAC Heads of State on the peace and security situation in the eastern part of the DRC.
The meeting which took place in Nairobi, Kenya on Monday, was attended by His Excellency Yoweri Museveni, President of the Republic of Uganda; His Excellency Paul Kagame, President of the Republic of Rwanda; His Excellency Salva Kiir Mayardit, President of the Republic of South Sudan;His Excellency Felix Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo, President of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and
His Excellency Evariste Ndayishimiye, President of the Republic of Burundi.
The Head of State of the United Republic of Tanzania was represented by H.E. Amb. Dr. John Steven Simbachawene, High Commissioner of Tanzania to Kenya.
The Conclave commenced with a detailed brief on the military track. The brief was presented by the Chief of Defence Forces of Kenya, General Robert Kibochi, in his capacity as the Chairman of the Committee of East African
Community Chiefs of Defence Forces.
This followed a meeting of the Chiefs of Defence Forces on Sunday 19th June 2022 in Nairobi. In attendance were the Chiefs of Defence Forces of all the seven (7) countries of the EAC Partner States. The brief defined the problem,highlighted the threat analysis, Concept of Operations (CONOPs), Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA), Rules of Engagement
(ROE) and other legal and technical regulations to facilitate the operationalization of the Regional Force and its various operational arms.
During the 20th June meeting, the Heads of State deliberated on the security situation in the eastern DRC and on measures to promote peace, stability and development in the eastern DRC and the greater east African region.
They agreed that the Regional Force should cooperate in the implementation of the disarmament and demobilization process of the negative armed forces in the DRC.
According to the joint communique, the leaders also noted that the the Regional Force will be constituted as East African Community force under the EAC Protocol on Peace and Security and the EAC Treaty Article 124 on regional peace and security and Article 125 on cooperation in defence.
“The Heads-Of-State committed to contribute to reconciliation and lasting
peace and determined to find a swift and lasting solution to the conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo, particularly in the North and South Kivu as well as Ituri Provinces. They appreciated the supremacy of the
Constitution of the DRC and committed to maintain a unified and secure country, with coherence and credible institutions of central government exercising full territorial authority and recognizing that peaceful means are the best way to resolve conflicts,”the communique stated in parts.
In the same meeting, the Conclave received a written brief on the political
track of the Nairobi process which detailed actions and activities that have been undertaken since the last convening of the second Conclave including the convening of the consultations with various armed and rebel groups within the DRC as a follow up to the consultations undertaken by the DRC with the rebel groups in Nairobi.
“The Heads of State directed that an immediate ceasefire should be enforced and cessation of hostilities should commence immediately, including withdrawal from recently taken positions. In doing so, the political process should be intensified by all parties in order to allow the citizens of the DRC feel safe and secure and be able to pick up and continue their respective social, cultural and economic activities,”the communique reads in part.
“The conclave agreed and reinforced that trust and confidence-building, cessation of hostilities, unconditional ceasefire, participation in the political processes in the country, prioritization and participation in the country’s development, citizenship, presence of foreign negative elements, fate of combatants during reintegration and
status of refugees and internally displaced persons are among critical issues that require concerted, urgent and
durable resolution.”
The Heads of State also emphasized that all offensive language, hate speech, threats of genocide and other politically inciting language must cease and must be discouraged by all parties and that the people of the DRC must be encouraged to work together in order to stabilize
the eastern DRC for it to prosper.
At the close of the conclave, President Salva Kiir Mayardit took the opportunity to brief the meeting on the most recent and important developments in the political process in South Sudan.
The leaders also thanked President Uhuru Kenyatta for his convening and hosting of the third Conclave and thanked His Excellency Felix Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo, President of the Democratic Republic of Congo for taking the regional route in his determination to resolve the peace and security situation in the east of the DRC.
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