DRC peace talks: Regional leaders call for ceasefire, voluntary disarmament by armed groups

During the 11th meeting of the Regional Oversight Mechanism of the Peace, Security and Cooperation (PSC) Framework for the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and the region held in Bujumbura, Burundi, the leaders told the M23 rebels in DRC, warring forces in Sudan and other parts of the region to cease hostility and engage in voluntary disarmament.

“We condemn the massacres perpetuated against the peaceful civilian populations… We reiterate our commitment to the Nairobi process and the Luanda process and urge all partners to support these initiatives,” the delegation said in the meeting aimed at reviewing the progress of the implementation of the PSC Framework 10 years after its signing in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

It called on the army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces in Sudan to also return to dialogue and ensure a peaceful political transition.

Addressing the meeting, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres called on countries to support the work of the Contact and Coordination Group in the fight against negative forces in eastern DRC.

“Congo basin is the second largest rain forest in the world, accounting for 10% of biodiversity. It has an abundance of unique animals, plant species and many precious minerals. DRC belongs to the Congolese people, we must ensure that it becomes a source of prosperity and development, not of conflict and unsustainable exploitation,” said Guterres.

Felix Tshisekedi, President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo termed the Addis Ababa agreement of 2013 and the Nairobi peace process as important frameworks in ending the insecurity in eastern DRC and stopping hostility by M23.

“I am taking this floor to talk to you about people who have this thirst for peace and other people’s of our sister countries. They need to withdraw from these territories,” Tshisekedi said.

“I welcome the efforts that were put in place by the president of Burundi, who is the current chair of the EAC and His Excellency Uhuru Kenyatta who is the designated facilitator.”

Burundi president Evariste Ndayishimiye hailed member states for their efforts in confronting the root causes of conflict, enhancing good governance, as well as democracy.

“This is the time we need to rally our efforts in supporting the DRC in eradicating all the negative forces. We need to leverage the massive natural resources in the region, in order to realise peace and stability,” Ndayishimiye said.

The meeting was attended by African Heads of States including President Évariste Ndayishimiye (Burundi), Cyril Ramaphosa (South Africa), Felix Tshisekedi (DRC), Faustin Touadéra (CAR) and Yoweri Museveni (Uganda).

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, African Union Commission Chairperson Moussa Faki, Former President Uhuru Kenyatta, the facilitator of the East African Community (EAC)-led Nairobi Peace Process , as well as Kenya’s Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, Tanzania Vice President Philip Mpango and Rwanda Prime Minister Édouard Ngirente were also among delegates attending the high-level meeting.