Regional heads of state and government representatives meeting in Uganda on Wednesday, May 28, urged armed groups in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DR Congo) to unconditionally end hostilities. A communique was issued on Wednesday at the conclusion of the 12th High-Level Meeting of the Regional Oversight Mechanism of the Peace, Security and Cooperation (PSC) Framework for the DR Congo and the region. ALSO READ: M23 leader Bisiimwa defends ties to Kabila According to the communique, the leaders said foreign armed groups operating in DR Congo should voluntarily disarm and prepare for repatriation to their home countries. They also urged member states that signed the PSC framework to honor their commitments to respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of neighboring countries, and not to host or support armed groups or individuals accused of war crimes, crimes against humanity, or acts of genocide. ALSO READ: Kabila welcomed in Goma as ‘great political leader’ The summit was hosted by Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni at the State House in Entebbe, about 40 km from Kampala, the country's capital. During the opening session, Museveni said the challenges facing DR Congo could be resolved regionally with limited external involvement. He said reliance on foreign forces while ignoring regional stakeholders and the voices of Congolese citizens had exacerbated the crisis. ALSO READ: Former Congolese President Kabila blasts ‘demagogue’ Tshisekedi regime’s lies, populism Sghair Said, the African Union (AU) high representative for the Great Lakes Region, also stressed the need for countries to uphold collective decisions. We should be more determined and show more solidarity because by taking concrete diplomatic engagement and honoring them, sustainable peace in the Great Lakes region will be achieved, he said, adding that there are several ongoing regional, AU, and international initiatives aimed at ending the crisis in DR Congo, which must be aligned under a unified framework.
