SADC Chairman President Mnangagwa said at a joint summit between SADC and the East African Community that African leaders must tap into their shared history of anti-colonial unity to help free the Democratic Republic of Congo from ongoing conflicts that hinder development.
The regional leaders aim to restore peace through honest dialogue, with Mnangagwa emphasizing their duty to address challenges impeding security in eastern DRC. He urged participants to maintain the same solidarity that marked Africa's independence struggles.
Speaking after the summit, Mnangagwa reported the two regional blocs agreed that member states should cease supporting armed groups responsible for regional instability. The meeting, co-chaired by Mnangagwa and Kenyan President William Ruto, focused on strategies to bring peace to the conflict-affected region.
The summit called for an immediate, unconditional ceasefire and peaceful resolution through the combined Luanda and Nairobi peace processes. Defense chiefs received orders to enforce the ceasefire, manage casualties, and enable humanitarian aid delivery. They must develop a security plan for Goma and nearby areas.
Regional leaders directed renewed negotiations with state and non-state actors, including M23, within the unified peace framework. The plan includes steps to neutralize the FDLR and facilitate Rwanda's withdrawal from DRC territory.
DRC President Felix Tshisekedi joined virtually, with Rwanda's President Paul Kagame, Uganda's President Yoweri Museveni, South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa, and Zambia's President Hakainde Hichilema attending in person. The historic meeting aimed to resolve the crisis that has left rebel groups controlling towns in eastern DRC.
Mnangagwa stressed the far-reaching impact of DRC's instability on Africa and the world. He called the joint summit a testament to both blocs' commitment to African Union values and urged decisive action to implement lasting solutions to the escalating humanitarian crisis.
The regional leaders aim to restore peace through honest dialogue, with Mnangagwa emphasizing their duty to address challenges impeding security in eastern DRC. He urged participants to maintain the same solidarity that marked Africa's independence struggles.
Speaking after the summit, Mnangagwa reported the two regional blocs agreed that member states should cease supporting armed groups responsible for regional instability. The meeting, co-chaired by Mnangagwa and Kenyan President William Ruto, focused on strategies to bring peace to the conflict-affected region.
The summit called for an immediate, unconditional ceasefire and peaceful resolution through the combined Luanda and Nairobi peace processes. Defense chiefs received orders to enforce the ceasefire, manage casualties, and enable humanitarian aid delivery. They must develop a security plan for Goma and nearby areas.
Regional leaders directed renewed negotiations with state and non-state actors, including M23, within the unified peace framework. The plan includes steps to neutralize the FDLR and facilitate Rwanda's withdrawal from DRC territory.
DRC President Felix Tshisekedi joined virtually, with Rwanda's President Paul Kagame, Uganda's President Yoweri Museveni, South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa, and Zambia's President Hakainde Hichilema attending in person. The historic meeting aimed to resolve the crisis that has left rebel groups controlling towns in eastern DRC.
Mnangagwa stressed the far-reaching impact of DRC's instability on Africa and the world. He called the joint summit a testament to both blocs' commitment to African Union values and urged decisive action to implement lasting solutions to the escalating humanitarian crisis.
