Mudavadi seeks concerted efforts in Africa peace push
Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi on Saturday urged African leaders to work together in harmony as they are ones to deliver long-lasting peace in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Mudavadi who spoke during the 11th High-Level Summit of the Regional Oversight Mechanism of the Peace, Security and Co-operation (PSC) Framework for the Heads of State and government in Bujumbura, Burundi termed the strides made so far as a course towards a common goal that will help in ensuring the realisation of the regional economic community. “I urge all of us to lend our political goodwill, effort and support to the full realisation of the Luanda-led Peace Process and EAC-ked Nairobi Process for the restoration of peace and stability in Eastern DRC. We must be able to support our own processes as it is only us who can deliver lasting peace for Eastern DRC.” noted Mudavadi.
The objective of the summit centred on evaluating the security situation in the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the Republic of Sudan and the Region at large. “It is disheartening that despite the progress made in the region, several challenges persist or have intensified, notably, the current deteriorating security situation in Eastern DRC, particularly in Ituri and North Kivu where serious escalation of fighting and targeted killings is reported to be taking place.” said Mudavadi.
“Illicit exploitation and trade of natural resources, human right violations, and the precarious humanitarian situations mainly characterised by protracted displacements and fragilised livelihood remain issues of serious concern in eastern DRC.” noted Mudavadi as he termed such occurrences as unacceptable and called for immediate action to be taken through the of the Peace, Security and Cooperation (PSC) Framework.
He noted that there were some acts of omission and commission from several actors in Eastern DRC, some of who would never want to see a stable DRC. “We must therefore remain resolute and vigilant in our fight against this pilferage and work together towards finding our own solutions to our own problems.” he told the summit.
“I commend President Felix Antoine Tshisekedi and the valiant people of the Democratic Republic of Congo for their resilience as we make efforts to find a durable solution to the long-standing conflict and embark on a path towards economic development.” Mudavadi said.
Peace and stability
Several meetings have already taken place as initial stages that laid ground towards drawing a road map for the revitalisation of the Peace, Security and Cooperation Framework for DRC and indeed the Region.
The first, second and third conclaves of East African Community Heads of State, ushered the Nairobi Process towards addressing the peace and security situation in Eastern DRC. During the Conclaves, two tracks (Political and Military/ Security Enforcement) were identified under the Nairobi Process as key towards finding a lasting solution to peace and stability in the Eastern DRC.
There was the 22nd Ordinary Summit of the EAC Heads of State and Government held in Arusha, Tanzania in July 2022 where the Nairobi Process was mainstreamed into EAC by invoking the provision of Article 4 of the EAC Protocol on Peace and Security, hence giving birth to the EAC-led Nairobi Process on Inter-Congolese Dialogue.
It was then, that the Summit appointed former President Uhuru Kenyatta, as facilitator to champion peace and oversee the implementation of Nairobi Process as provided for in the modality for the Establishment and Functioning of the EAC Panel of Eminent Persons and for the Deployment of Special Envoys/ Representatives. “A lot of progress has been made including the establishment of the headquarters of the Joint Regional Force of EAC in Goma; timely deployment of Forces by Burundi, Kenya and Uganda in line with the agreed framework; operationalization of the EAC Peace Facility to support the EAC-led Nairobi Process; among others.” noted Mudavadi
Recently there was a consultative Meeting on the sidelines of the Meeting of United Nations Framework on Climate Change (COP-27) in Sharma El Sheikh, Egypt on 7th November 2022 and the Third Session of the EAC-led Nairobi Process of the Inter-Congolese Consultations held in Nairobi from 28th November to 6th December 2022.
On the other hand, and concurrently, under the Luanda-led Process on November 23, 2022, João Lourenço, President of Angola hosted in Luanda, a Mini-Summit on Peace and Security in the Eastern Region of the DRC. The meeting was attended by Presidents of Burundi, DRC and Rwanda.
Mudavadi explored the recent happenings in Sudan, saying it his high time the region shifts focus towards the deteriorating situation in Sudan and help find a lasting solution.
