NEW: SADC-EAC seek immediate end to DRC conflict

Fungi Kwaramba in DAR ES SALAAM, Tanzania

THE convening of a joint summit between SADC and the East Africa Community (EAC) is testament to the two blocs’ commitment to the values of the African Union (AU) and must be upscaled to silence guns on the continent, SADC chairperson President Mnangagwa has said.

In his opening remarks at the joint SADC-EAC Summit that is currently underway in Tanzania, President Mnangagwa said the conflict in DRC has far-reaching consequences for Africa and the world at large.

“This historic summit of our two regional blocs is testament to our shared commitment to the founding values of the African Union,” said the President.

“Such joint initiatives must see us scale up bold and decisive actions to silence the guns on our continent, but most immediately, implement lasting solutions to the escalating conflict and humanitarian crisis in eastern DRC.

“Undoubtedly, ongoing instability, growing hostilities and the ever-increasing number of internally displaced persons in the eastern DRC has far-reaching consequences, not only for the people of the DRC alone but also for our regions and the African continent as a whole.”

SADC and the EAC are meeting in Tanzania to try and find a lasting solution to the DRC crisis, which has seen rebel groups taking over towns in the eastern parts of the vast country.

DRC President Felix Tshisekedi is attending the joint summit virtually, and other Great Lakes region leaders like Paul Kagame and Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni are also in attendance.

A communique on the agreement between the two blocs is expected to be released later today.