BUJUMBURA June 3rd (ABP) – The negative forces operating in the East of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) are called upon to join, without delay, the negotiating table for the restoration of stability in that region, which has become the scene of violence.
The appeal was made on Wednesday, June 31, 2023, in Bujumbura, the economic capital of Burundi, during the 21st Extraordinary Summit of Heads of State Government of the East African Community (EAC), chaired by Burundi Head of State Evariste Ndayishimiye, and sitting Chairman for that community. The Summit was honored with the presence of the Kenyan President, Dr. William Ruto and other Heads of State were represented.
President Samia Suluhu Hassan, of Tanzania was represented by her Vice President, Dr Philippe Mpango, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni of Uganda was represented by the 2nd Deputy Prime Minister, Mrs. Rebecca Alitwala Kadaga, President Paul Kagame of Rwanda was represented by the Prime Minister, Mr. Edouard Ngirente, President Antoine Félix Tshisekedi of the DRC was represented by Mr. Mbusa Nyamwisi, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Democratic Republic of Congo, President Salva Kiir of South Sudan was represented by Dr. Barnaba Marial Benjamin, Minister of Foreign Affairs.
The 21st Summit of Heads of State and Government of the EAC, which was held at the presidential palace of Burundi President Evariste Ndayishimiye, took place in two parts. The first part took in camera and the second in plenary session.
On that occasion, a progress report and ways to adopt for the restoration of peace and security in eastern DRC was presented.
In their remarks, Kenyan President William Ruto and EAC sitting chair Evariste Ndayishimiye appreciated the step already taken in terms of restoring peace and security in eastern DRC.
President Ruto, for his part, congratulated the Member States, but also President Evariste Ndayishimiye for the efforts already made, while calling on the belligerents to join the negotiating table. He further indicated that the term of the EAC forces which was to end within two months has been extended by 6 months. As for him, President Ndayishimiye made a strong appeal to the member countries of the EAC to pool their efforts, once more, so that stability returns to the DRC because, according to him, this is one of the goals that he set himself, as soon as he became the leader of that organization.
Note that this Summit also decided to send a military mission to organize the former base of Rumangabo as a cantonment camp for the M23 rebels.
In addition, during that Summit, Ugandan Annette Mutawe Semwemba and South Sudanese Andrea Boulai were appointed Deputy Secretaries General, while Rwandan Anita Mugeni was appointed Vice President of the EAC Court of Justice and Ignace Kayembe from the DRC was appointed a judge in the same court. When taking oaths, they swore loyalty to keep professional secrets and fully perform their duties, in accordance with the treaty that governs the EAC.