Online Reporter
Wallace Ruzvidzo, Harare Bureau
AFRICAN countries must urgently unite to find a lasting solution to the “strongly alarming” crisis in Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the country’s Minister of Regional Integration, Floribert Anzuluni Isiloketshi, has said.
DRC President Félix Tshisekedi dispatched Minister Isiloketshi as a special envoy to brief several African leaders, including President Mnangagwa, on the prevailing situation in the country and the peace processes signed in the United States of America and Qatar.
The DRC Minister was in Zimbabwe yesterday where he paid a courtesy call on President Mnangagwa at State House in Harare.
Speaking to the media after their closed-door meeting, Minister Isiloketshi said President Tshisekedi had sent him to update his “big brother” on the situation in the DRC and to rally support.
“I was sent here by my President, His Excellency President Félix Tshisekedi, to his big brother, his father, His Excellency President Mnangagwa, regarding the situation in Eastern DRC, which is strongly alarming.
“He had a special message that I delivered to the President, and at the same time, I was able to update him on two ongoing peace processes. The first was in Washington DC, where the DRC and Rwanda recently signed two agreements — one peace agreement and one trade agreement.
“The second is still ongoing in Doha, where the DRC is engaged in dialogue and negotiations with the rebel group known as AFC M23, which is backed by Rwanda, to also find a peaceful solution. So there were two reasons for my visit: to explain the situation and to brief the President,” he said.
Minister Isiloketshi said President Tshisekedi was committed to achieving lasting peace in Eastern DRC, stressing that the involvement of African countries was essential to this effort.
“I think the best way, as His Excellency President Tshisekedi always says, is a peaceful solution. He is very committed to finding a peaceful resolution. He is participating in all positive initiatives that could help achieve peace, but what is also very important, I believe, is to involve African countries and African leaders in any solution that will be found,” he said.
The Congolese Minister is continuing his diplomatic mission to engage more African leaders, having already visited Burundi, Congo-Brazzaville and Togo before arriving in Harare, and is scheduled to proceed to Zambia and South Africa.
“So that’s why I’m here. I came from Burundi, and I’m going to Zambia and other countries to do the same — to provide a briefing and explore how African countries and leaders can help resolve this issue,” he said.
President Mnangagwa has consistently emphasised the importance of silencing the guns in Eastern DRC and across the continent, a message he actively promoted throughout his tenure as SADC Chairman.
