Regional heads of state and government representatives meeting in Uganda have urged armed groups in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) to unconditionally end hostilities.
KAMPALA, May 29 (Xinhua) -- Regional heads of state and government representatives meeting in Uganda have urged armed groups in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) to unconditionally end hostilities.
A communique was issued on Wednesday at the conclusion of the 12th High-Level Meeting of the Regional Oversight Mechanism of the Peace, Security and Cooperation (PSC) Framework for the DRC and the region.
According to the communique, the leaders said foreign armed groups operating in the DRC should voluntarily disarm and prepare for repatriation to their home countries.
They also urged member states that signed the PSC framework to honor their commitments to respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of neighboring countries, and not to host or support armed groups or individuals accused of war crimes, crimes against humanity, or acts of genocide.
The leaders condemned the territorial expansion and establishment of parallel administrations in the eastern DRC by the March 23 Movement (M23) rebel group, which they said is being supported by external forces.
The summit, hosted by Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni at the State House in Entebbe, about 40 km from Kampala, the country's capital, took place amid a worsening political, humanitarian, and security crisis in the eastern DRC.
During the opening session, Museveni said the challenges facing the DRC could be resolved regionally with limited external involvement. He said reliance on foreign forces while ignoring regional stakeholders and the voices of Congolese citizens had exacerbated the crisis.
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned in a message delivered on his behalf by his special envoy for the Great Lakes Region, Xia Huang, that the ongoing fighting and illegal occupation in the eastern DRC are causing immense suffering.
The humanitarian situation is alarming, with violations of human rights, particularly in Goma and Bukavu under the control of the M23, Guterres said, calling for a collective commitment from member states to secure an immediate cease-fire and enable the delivery of humanitarian aid to those affected.
Sghair Said, African Union (AU) high representative for the Great Lakes Region, also stressed the need for countries to uphold collective decisions.
"We should be more determined and show more solidarity because by taking concrete diplomatic engagement and honoring them, sustainable peace in the Great Lakes region will be achieved," he said.
He added that there are several ongoing regional, AU, and international initiatives aimed at ending the crisis in the DRC, which must be aligned under a unified framework. ■
