SADC committed to promote peace in DRC
Speaking as SADC Chairperson of the organ for Politics, Defence and Security, President Lungu said SADC has always been ready to work with the government of the DRC to restore peace in that country and the region.
KAMPALA, Uganda, - President Edgar Lungu says the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) remains committed to the promotion of peace in the Democratic Republic of Congo(DRC) and the region.
Speaking as SADC Chairperson of the organ for Politics, Defence and Security, President Lungu said SADC has always been ready to work with the government of the DRC to restore peace in that country and the region. ZANIS reports that the Head of State was speaking in Kampala, Uganda, yesterday when he addressed the 9th High Level Meeting of the Regional Oversight Committee for the Peace, Security and Cooperation Framework for the Democratic Republic of Congo and the region. President Lungu noted that the internal conflict that has rocked the DRC for many decades has negatively affected neighbouring countries politically and economically hence the need for concerted efforts to bring sanity in that country. Mr Lungu observed that close cooperation with the United Nations (UN) and the International Conference on the Great Lakes region is indispensable to the attainment of the lasting peace in the DRC and the region. And host President, Yoweri Museveni, says while African countries do not believe in meddling in the affairs of other nations, time had come for African countries to help bring peace to the DRC. Mr Museveni said the political instability in the DRC has persisted for so long that it has affected not only civilians in that country but also neighbouring countries and the region. The Ugandan leader said internal conflict in the DRC has resulted in the loss of innocent lives, displacement of civilians and derailed economic development in the neighbouring countries and the region at large. Speaking at the same function, Special Envoy of the UN Secretary General to the Great Lakes region, Said Djinnit, encouraged the African Union (AU), International Conference on the Great Lakes Region, SADC and the UN to ensure regional cooperation in tackling longstanding challenges in parts of the Eastern DRC. Mr Djinnit said building confidence and trust among the concerned countries is crucial to building the much needed peace. – ZANIS.