The Heads of States and Government Officials expressed their concern over the tensions between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo who have been throwing misfortunes to its neighbor, who in turn refuted it.
They further called for restraint, de-escalation and continued dialogue on both parties.
Burundi hosted, On Saturday, May 6th 2023, the 11th high level segment of Regional Oversight Mechanism of the Peace, Security and Cooperation Framework on Democratic Republic of Congo and of the region at Kiriri Presidential Palace.
The Heads of states and representatives of the signatory countries, mainly discussed Peace and insecurity in Eastern Democratic of Republic of Congo after 10 years of agreements brokered in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
During high-level summit on peace and security in Great Lakes Africa, heads of State joined the UN SG to express their deep concern at the escalation of violence in Sudan and called for an immediate cessation of hostilities, a return to dialogue as well as a peaceful political transition
Heads of State encouraged efforts to deepen regional socio-economic integration to promote responsible and transparent management of natural resources.
The UN’s General Secretary joined the Presidents of Burundi, Central Africa Republic , DRCongo, South Africa and Uganda, Government representatives of signatory countries with Guarantor institutions of the Framework Agreement for the summit held in Burundi on 6 May 2023.
In his speech, Félix Tshisekedi, openly accused Rwanda of being a gigantic threat to his country.
“Rwanda is behind the M23 terrorists, a Tutsi-led group in terms of sparking standstill in Eastern Democratic of Republic of Congo” .
“They do this in the context of natural resource’s excavations,” said Tshisekedi.
According to Félix Tshisekedi, Rwanda nullifies the Saturday’s discussed agreements which it ratified.
Tshisekedi evoked that agreements strictly prevent the interference of the signatory countries and any kind of support toward any armed group which is a great threat to a country.
He went on condemning the previous killings in Masisi and northern Kivu.
The special Rwanda’s envoy to the summit, Édouard Ngirente, Rwanda Prime Minister remained evasive. Two months ago, Rwanda denied the allegations by leaders of Democratic Republic of Congo.
The UN chief, Antonio Gutteres, in his speech, stated that he’s unhappy with the Great Lakes’ theft of natural resources.
He immediately recommended all armed groups to unconditionally lay weapons down and get demobilized.
Red Tabara, an originated- Burundi armed group, M23, a Tutsi-led armed group, ADF affiliated to Islamic State and others, are among other armed groups in Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo to lay weapons down.
Guterres accused them [the armed groups] of many other atrocities committed in DRC.
He also recommended M23 to retreat from the captured territories as brokered in Angola.
Among other special attendees include, the South African president, Cyril Ramaphosa, Central African Republic Faustin Archange Touaderá and the AU Chief, Moussa Faki.
The absence of two heads of states, Paul Kagame of Rwanda and William Ruto of Kenya, which lead the regional forces deployed in the east of DR Congo, was behind curtain. In previous days, Kinshasa was dissatisfied with the substitution of a Kenyan commander in chief of regional forces.
Both presidents had attended the England King Charles III coronation in London at Westminster Abbey.
The main Summit’s aim was to oversee Mechanisms of the Peace, Security and Cooperation Framework on Democratic Republic of Congo and of the region.
At the high-level summit on peace and security in Great Lakes Africa, heads of State endorsed a roadmap for the revitalization of the Framework Agreement for DRC and the region.
Experts are expected to report on its progress of implementation during the 12th summit to be in 2024
Burundi President Evariste Ndayishimiye has been immediately appointed the chairman of the Summit replacing Félix Tshisekedi, the Democratic Republic of Congo president, who chaired it for nearly 15 months.
The Story was written by Moise NDAYIRAGIJE and Charles NDAYIZEYE.
