Third EAC-led dialogue on DRC peace commences in Nairobi
EAST African Community (EAC)-Led Nairobi Process, on restoration of peace and security in Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) – Third Inter-Congolese dialogue, is scheduled to commence today in Nairobi, Kenya.
The meeting aims at accelerating the ongoing regional efforts to attain sustainable peace and security in Eastern DRC as elaborated by various efforts of the EAC Heads of State.
The peace talks reaffirm the commitment of the Heads of State of the EAC; Great Lakes region and Africa at large, to finding lasting solution to the security challenges in the Eastern DRC.
In their Communiqué released after the Mini-Summit on Peace and Security in the Eastern Region of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in Luanda Angola on November 24th, 2022, the Heads of State expressed their concern about the worsening insecurity and persistent military actions of the M23.
President of Angola João Lourenço, who is also the African Union (AU) Champion for Peace and Reconciliation in Africa and Mediator designated, hosted the meeting.
The Mini-Summit was attended by Burundi President Evariste Ndayishimiye, who is also the EAC Chairperson, DRC President Felix Tshisekedi, Rwanda’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Vincent Biruta, who represented President Paul Kagame, former Kenya President Uhuru Kenyatta, who is the Facilitator appointed by the EAC for the implementation of the Nairobi peace process.
Special Representative of the AU Commission Chairperson, Madame Michelle Ndiaye and AU Liaison Office in the DRC, Ambassador Joao Samuel Caholo also attended the mini-Summit.
The main objective of Luanda Mini- Summit was to establish a timetable for the implementation of priority actions, with a view to the cessation of hostilities and the immediate withdrawal of M23 from occupied Congolese localities, and coordinates agreement through the Luanda and Nairobi processes.
According to the Communiqué, the Heads of State welcomed the results of the initiatives taken within the framework of the Luanda and Nairobi processes, namely the operationalisation of the Ad Hoc Verification Mechanism on November 9th, 2022 and the deployment of the EAC Regional Force troops in the provinces of North and South Kivu in the DRC.
They (Heads of State) also expressed concern on the acquisition by the M23 of increasing sophisticated weapons and other means to carry out attacks against the DRC Armed Forces (FARDC). They also expressed concern on the persistence of negative and terrorist forces in the Eastern DRC, which constitutes a threat to peace, security and stability in the sub-region.
The Mini-Summit decided among others, to cessation of hostilities in general, and in particular of M23 attacks against the FARDC and MONUSCO from Friday, November 25th 2022.
They also demanded full compliance with the requirements of the Communiqué of the EAC Heads of State Conclaves of April 21st and June 20th 2022 (Nairobi process), the Luanda Roadmap of July 6th (Luanda Process) and the conclusions of the Extraordinary Meeting of the Chiefs of General Staff of the EAC Armed Forces (Bujumbura, November 8, 2022).
The Heads of State demanded for continued full deployment of the EAC Regional Forces, intervention of the EAC Regional Forces against M23, as established in the framework of the Nairobi Process and the conclusions of the Extraordinary Meeting of the Chiefs of General Staff of the EAC Armed Forces, held in Bujumbura, November 8th 2022, in case of non-compliance by M23 to cease hostilities and withdraw from the occupied territories.
It was also agreed to the creation of the conditions for the occupation of M23, currently controlled zones, by the EAC Regional Forces with the support of MONUSCO and the Ad-Hoc Verification Mechanism.
It was also agreed to disarmament and cantonment of the M23 in Congolese territory under the control of the FARDC and EAC armed forces and the Ad-Hoc Verification Mechanism.
The Heads of State agreed for a return of Internal Displaced People (IDPs) to their homes, resumption and continuation of political consultations between the government of DRC and local armed groups as well as resumption of bilateral dialogue between the DRC and Rwanda, with a view to the normalisation of diplomatic relations and the resumption of cooperation.
The Heads of State requested that the FARDC, the Regional Force and the Chiefs of General Staff of the EAC Regional Forces, in collaboration with MONUSCO, study all issues related to the disarmament and cantonment of M23 elements and submit proposals to them at their next Mini-Summit.
