Regional leaders from Africa have stressed the importance of commitment to the dialogue to find lasting solutions to the political instability that has plagued the DRC for years.
The heads of state from the East African Community (EAC) and Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) who converged in Tanzania, highlighted the need for all parties involved to engage in constructive negotiations.
Tanzania’s Samia Suluhu stated that the joint summit presents an opportunity for them to address security challenges facing our nations.
“As active members of EAC add SADC, we have to remain resolute in our quest to see peaceful and stable regional blocs with our countries standing tall and harmoniously coexisting,” she said.
According to Suluhu, the ongoing armed conflict not only destabilises the brotherly nation but also erodes the consistent efforts to enhance regional integration.
She gave an undertaking that her country would offer full support to the peace efforts.
“My country remains committed to supporting the ongoing diplomatic initiatives to end conflicts in eastern DRC,” she said.
Shuluhu also called on all parties involved in the DRC conflict to positively engage in negotiations to protect the well-being of the people and commit to peaceful coexistence.
She was confident that the summit would yield concrete results.
On his part, Zimbabwe’s Emmerson Mnangagwa termed the meeting of the two blocs as historic noting it is a testament to their shared commitment founded on the values of the African Union.
“Such joint initiative must see us scale up bold actions to silence guns on our continent and find a lasting solution to the conflict in DRC,” he said.
Mnangagwa reminded the leaders that they have a duty and collective responsibility to tackle and address various challenges impeding the realisation of peace and security in DRC.
“Let us seize this opportunity to ensure a coordinated response. I challenge each one of us to approach the agenda before us with openness, honesty, flexibility and commitment to building lasting peace in DRC,” he stressed.
He said as leaders from the two blocs, they must remain as solidly united as they were during the struggle for independence of Africa from colonialism.
