East African Community Heads of State yesterday deliberated on the security situation in the Eastern DRC and on measures to promote peace, stability and development in the region.

The Heads of State emphasized that all offensive language, hate speech, threats of genocide and other politically inciting languages must cease and must be discouraged by all parties.

The Heads of State were invited by His Excellency Uhuru Kenyatta, President of the Republic of Kenya for the 3rd Conclave of the East African Community (EAC) on the peace and security situation in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

The Summit was attended by His Excellency Yoweri Museveni, President of the Republic of Uganda, His Excellency Paul Kagame, President of the Republic of Rwanda, His Excellency Salva Kiir Mayardit, President of the Republic of South Sudan, His Excellency Felix Antoine Tshisekedi  Tshilombo, President of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and His Excellency Evariste Ndayishimye,  President of the Republic of Burundi.

Tanzania was however represented by H.E. Amb. Dr. John Steven Simbachawene, the High Commissioner of Tanzania to Kenya.

During the summit, they committed to contribute to reconciliation and lasting peace and determined to find a swift and lasting solution to the conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo, particularly in the North and South Kivu as well as Ituri Provinces.

They also appreciated the supremacy of the Constitution of the DRC and committed to maintain a unified and secure country, with coherence and credible institutions of central government, exercising full territorial authority and recognizing that peaceful means are the best way to resolve conflicts.

The Heads of State also accepted and adopted the Concept of Operations (CONOPs), Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) and Rule of Engagement Agreement (ROE) as presented by the Chiefs of Defence Forces for immediate implementation.

“In doing so, they instructed that the Regional Force should in cooperation with the military and administrative forces of the DRC seek to stabilize and secure peace in the DRC,” the statement read in part.

The statement added,” The Regional Force should also cooperate in implementation of the disarmament and demobilization process.

“The Regional Force which will be constituted as an East African Community force under the EAC Protocol on Peace and Security and the EAC Treaty Article 124 on regional peace and security and Article 125 on cooperation in defence.”

The conclave received a written brief on the political track of the Nairobi process which detailed actions and activities that have been undertaken since the last convening of the second conclave including the convening of the consultations with various armed and rebel groups within the DRC as a follow up to the consultations undertaken by the DRC with the rebel groups in Nairobi.

The Heads of State therefore directed that an immediate ceasefire should be enforced and cessation of hostilities should commence immediately, including withdrawal from recently taken positions.

“In doing so, the political process should be intensified by all parties in order to allow the citizens of the DRC feel safe and secure and be able to pick up and continue their respective social, cultural and economic activities.

“The conclave further agreed and reinforced that trust and confidence-building, cessation of hostilities, unconditional ceasefire, participation in the political processes in the country, prioritization and participation in the country’s development, citizenship, presence of foreign negative elements among others are critical issues that require concerted, urgent and durable resolution.”

By Kalamira Hope

Democratic Republic of Congo President Felix Tshisekedi has reported Rwanda to British Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

According to Bloomberg, Tshisekedi pleaded with Boris Johnson and other attendees at next week’s Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Rwanda to put pressure on Paul Kagame to help resolve tensions between the two African nations over ongoing violence in mineral-rich eastern Congo.

Rwanda is set to host the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting scheduled for Kigali from June 20th to 26th June, 2022.

In an emailed statement from his office’s external press agency, Tshisekedi told the UK Premier that it is because of the gold, coltan and cobalt that Rwanda supports the March 23 Movement (M-23) to commit its abuses to have control relies on the exploitation of its natural resources.

Tshisekedi noted, “Rwandan-backed M23 terrorists occupied and looted the town of Bunagana in Rutshuru territory, North Kivu province, killing young children and forcing hundreds to flee in terror.

“The security situation in the east of the country continues to deteriorate, and fundamentally because Rwanda seeks to occupy our lands rich in gold, coltan and cobalt, for its own benefit. This is an economic war, a battle for resources, waged by Rwandan terrorist gangs.”

Tshisekedi also called upon DRC’s international partners, in Africa, the United States and especially the United Kingdom, to condemn the invasion of his country and to pressure Rwanda to withdraw its troops from our land.

“Given the UK’s recent $150m immigration deal with Rwanda, we hope Prime Minister Boris Johnson will be able to leverage his influence,” Tshisekedi pleaded.

Tshisekedi insisted that it is a fundamental right for his country to demand respect from his neighbors, because the Congolese want peace and security in his territory.

“We have the right to demand that our neighbors respect our territory. The people of the DRC want peace, seek security in their country of origin. Civilians in eastern Congo are innocent in the face of the brutal attack by our neighbour,” Tshisekedi told Boris.

The UK government also recently signed a $150million deal with Rwanda to send migrants to the East African country.

By Grapevine Reporter

Land Forces Commander, Lt. Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba has rubbished allegations spreading through a section of DRC parliamentarians that he is supporting the deadly M23 rebels who are fighting President Felix Tshisekedi’s government.

The Speaker of DRC’s lower house of parliament, Christophe Mboso N’Kodia Pwanga accused Muhoozi of betraying Congo, by signing a pact with Rwanda and for Uganda’s active role in the fall of Bunagana under control of M23.

However, through his twitter handle, the First Son revealed that he is not supporting the rebel group that captured Bunagana town.

“I heard someone in the DRC parliament say that ‘Muhoozi is an enemy of Congo’. Me? So an ‘Enemy’ of DRC is one who saves people in North Kivu and Ituri from being slaughtered by ADF in “Le triangle de la mort”,” he said.

Undeterred by the false allegations, Muhoozi warned the cowardly FDLR and Interahamwe to stop massacring innocent men, women and children.

“I just have one more comment on the cowardly FDLR and Interahamwe, we know you are very brave when you are massacring innocent men, women and children! Please stop running whenever you face soldiers!” he said.

He added, “I will also say that the Congolese brothers in FARDC,  we have worked with, are great warriors! Very honourable and good soldiers! When we work together we are unstoppable!”

Gen. Muhoozi’s statements come after Brig Gen Felix Kulaigye, the spokesperson of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) rubbished wrong propaganda that the country’s army was supporting the M23 rebels.

He explained that Uganda government is ready to negotiate the ongoing fight between DRC and Rwanda.

Kulayigye said that Uganda has interests in both Uganda and Rwanda have interests in DRC since they share the border with them, that is why they cannot allow any insecurity. He added that as the neutral party in this conflict, Uganda is ready to sit both countries down to resolve the matter.

Ten Congolese Government soldiers who sustained injuries at Bunagana Town war against M23 are being treated at St. Francis Hospital, Mutolere Kisoro.

The DRC Ambassador Jean Massala visited the victims.

On Monday, M23 captured Bunagana, a key town that is only 60km (37 miles) northeast of Goma, which also serves as a hub for international aid organisations and the UN peacekeeping mission known as MONUSCO.

Bunagana is also an important transit point for goods being imported into Congo from as far away as China.

The fighting caused more than 30,000 Congolese asylum seekers and 137 Congolese soldiers to cross into Uganda on Monday, according to Shaffiq Sekandi, the Kisoro District Resident District Commissioner (RDC).

By Grapevine Reporter