African Union calls for peace in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo

The African Union (AU) has called for peace in the eastern region of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) amid growing concerns over the deteriorating situation.

President Azali Assoumani stressed the need to transform the country into a “source of happiness” rather than conflict.

At the Quadripartite Summit in Luanda, representatives from regional organizations such as the Southern African Development Community (SADC), the East African Community (EAC), the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR), and the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) came together to address the conflict in the eastern DRC.

The summit aimed to establish a joint framework for peace initiatives and monitor their implementation.

President Assoumani highlighted the wealth of resources in the DRC but lamented the extreme poverty experienced by local populations due to the ongoing conflict.

He emphasized the role of regional organizations in promoting peace, stability, and development.

The African Union Commission chairman, Moussa Faki Mahammat, reiterated the commitment to finding African solutions to African problems and emphasized the importance of coordination among regional organizations.

The summit brought together various countries and organizations, including the AU, the United Nations, and representatives from Burundi, Zimbabwe, Gabon, Rwanda, Comoros, Namibia, and the DRC.

Discussions centered on addressing challenges and crises in the Great Lakes region, restoring peace and security, and adhering to the AU’s commitment to finding African-led solutions.

The importance of coordination in effectively addressing regional crises was recognized. The summit aimed to establish mechanisms to promote peace and stability in the eastern DRC, which has been plagued by military tensions and conflicts with neighboring Rwanda.