Attacks on embassies in DR Congo: EAC Heads of State call for protection of diplomatic missions
The East African Community Heads of State from their recently convened Extra-Ordinary Summit meeting have called upon the DR Congo government to protect foreign embassies from ongoing attacks.
The EAC Heads of State Summit was virtually held to deliberate on the situation in Eastern parts of DR Congo, but apart from the call to protect diplomatic missions in Kinshasa their just released communique carries the usual repertoire.
The Heads of State simply called upon the conflicting parties to cease hostilities, which is something that has been said over and over again for the past four years.
Dr. William Samoei Ruto, President of the republic of Kenya, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, President of Somalia, Samia Suluhu Hassan, the President of Tanzania, Evariste Ndayishimiye, President of Burundi, Salva Kiir Mayardit, President of South Sudan; Paul Kagame, President of Rwanda and Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, President Uganda, virtually held their 24th extra ordinary Summit of the East African Community Heads of State.
President Ruto, the chairperson of the summit welcomed the heads of state to the meeting and thanked them for their participation in the extraordinary summit convened at short notice.
The summit deliberated on the developments and deteriorating security situation in Eastern DR Congo which led to the loss of lives, humanitarian crisis and suffering of people in particular women and children.
The summit offered condolences to the families of those affected by the recent developments in the eastern DRC and further wished a quick recovery to those injured.
The summit also expressed concern about the expanding crisis manifesting in attacks on diplomatic missions, embassies and staff based in Kinshasa. Accordingly, the summit urged the government of DR Congo to protect diplomatic missions, lives and property.
The summit called on all parties to the conflict in Eastern DRC to cease hostilities and observe immediate and unconditional ceasefire and facilitate humanitarian access to the affected population.
The summit called for peaceful settlement of the conflicts; and strongly urged the government in Kinshasa to directly engage with all stakeholders, including the March 23 and other armed groups that have grievances.
Noting that the South African Development Community (SADC) has also been involved in the Eastern DRC conflicts, the summit decided on a joint EAC-SADC summit to deliberate on the way forward.
They mandated the EAC Chairperson, Ruto to consult with the chairperson of SADC President Emmerson Mnangagwa, on the urgent convening of the same in the next few days.