BY GRACE MACHA IN ARUSHA
Leaders of the Southern Africa Development Community (Sadc) want swift action on increasing insecurity in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo..
They said at the end of their summit in Luanda, Angola on Saturday last week that that deterioration of security and resultant humanitarian situation was unbearable.
The leaders from the 16-nation bloc cited occupation of parts of eastern Congo by the M23 as clear violation of a ceasefire often agreed during peace talks.
"Occupation of territory by the M23 is a clear violation of the ceasefire", they said in a communique released after the one day summit.
President Samia Suluhu Hassan led Tanzania's delegation during a gathering which attracted several other heads of state and delegations.
Those present included President Felix Tshisekedi of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) whose eastern territory has been a theatre of insurgency for years.
The summit, the communique said, was keen on the restoration of peace and security in the vast country in the heart of Africa.
This would be actualized through strategic guidance on the deployment of the Sadc Mission in the DRC (SAMIDRC).
The regional leaders, nevertheless,committed additional pledges towards deploying the Sadc Mission in the DRC or SAMIDRC in its acronym.
They reiterated the need for Sadc to spearhead efforts towards mobilisation of resources for facilitating peace and security in the bloc.
"These efforts include reviving discussions to establish and operationalise the Sadc Peace Fund and engaging International Cooperating Partners".
The Luanda summit has been convened only weeks after the East African Community (EAC) expressed its deep concern on the increasing hostilities in eastern DRC.
The regional organization said in a statement issued on October 12th said it was much perturbed by the hostilities perpetrated by the armed groups there.
Much trouble, according to the EAC, centered on the joint operations area in North Kivu where the EAC Regional Force (EACRF) is stationed.
"The hostilities have tragically resulted in the loss of lives, injuries and displacement of civilians", the EAC statement said then.
Such actions stand in stark contrast to the envisioned peaceful resolution of the conflict through the EAC-Led Nairobi Process.
Four of the seven members of the bloc, Burundi, Kenya, South Sudan and Uganda, deployed their troops to the troubled area early this year.
There had not been reports of the said peace keeping forces engaging in combat with a litany of the insurgents, including those fighting the DRC government troops.
"They have strictly adhered to the code of conduct and established procedures outlined in the Status of Forces Agreement and international laws", the EAC said.
The regulations include the Protection of Civilians, a principle it described as " of paramount importance".
In its statement, the EAC rubbished what it described as "unfounded allegations and negative propaganda" labelled against its regional force that it collaborated with the armed groups.
Instead it emphasized that the EACRF was dedicated to working closely with the Government of the DRC and other stakeholders in attaining everlasting peace.
The EAC was passionate in respect of the ceasefire and restraint as repeatedly directed by the EAC leaders in numerous meetings.
The Luanda summit commended the efforts by host president João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço as the designated facilitator by the African Union (AU) in bringing peace in the eastern DRC.
It mandated the Chairperson of Sadc, supported by the Organ Troika, to intensify the diplomatic efforts between the DRC and Rwanda to bring lasting peace in the DRC.
Zambian president Hakainde Hichilema and chairperson of the Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation was commended for his leadership in sustaining peace and security in the region.
The chairperson of Sadc, president Emmerson Munagangwa of Zimbabwe, expressed gratitude to all Heads of State and Government for attending the Extraordinary Summit and for their unwavering commitment to peace, security, and development of the Sadc regi
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