The Heads of State from the EAC and SADC have resolved to meet yearly to review the progress on their efforts to broker peace in the war-ravaged eastern DRC.
In a meeting held in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania Saturday, the leaders said the meetings are aimed at discussing matters of mutual interest to the regional blocs.
“The Joint Summit decided that similar consultations shall be convened at least once every year and as and when the need arises to review matters of common interest to the two regions,” a statement sent to newsrooms reads in part.
And, in a bid to ensure the peace process is accelerated, the summit co-chaired by President William Ruto and his Zimbabwe counterpart Emmerson Mnangagwa, also directed that a joint ministerial meeting be convened within 30 days.
“The aim is to deliberate on the report of the joint meeting of Chief of Defence Forces (CDFs) on the ceasefire and cessation of hostilities,” it states.
During their meeting on Friday, ministers called for the cessation of hostilities and an unconditional ceasefire by all parties involved in DRC with the CDFs tasked with monitoring it.
The ministers will also discuss the establishment of a secretariat-level technical coordination mechanism to monitor the implementation of the joint summit decisions.
In his speech, Ruto emphasised the importance of the “strong” secretariat to provide the necessary coordination, monitoring, and enforcement to ensure effective implementation of outcomes.
A consolidated single EAC-SADC initiative on this matter to be supported by a strong secretariat that can provide,” he said.
The ministerial meeting, they added, will provide an elaborate roadmap detailing immediate, medium and long-term implementation measures including financing modalities.
Additionally, it will address other residual issues relating to the attainment of sustainable peace and security in eastern DRC and make appropriate recommendations for the next Joint meeting of the EAC-SADC Summit.
The joint summit attended by several heads of state and government and other representatives further directed that modalities for the withdrawal of uninvited foreign armed forces from the territory of the DRC be developed and implemented.