Siphakeme .Mnindwa
Zvamaida Murwira, Harare Bureau
THE SADC Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has successfully repelled aggression by M23 armed rebels, marking a significant step towards restoring normalcy in the Great Lakes region.
This achievement comes after President Mnangagwa, chairperson of SADC, convened an Extraordinary Summit in November last year to address the unrest in the North Kivu region of DRC.
In a statement, the SADC secretariat condemned the M23’s actions.
“SADC unequivocally condemns this act of aggression by the M23 operating in the Eastern DRC. Such actions undermine the sovereignty, territorial integrity, and peace and security of the DRC and the SADC region,” reads the statement.
“The pursuit of territorial expansion by M23 only exacerbates the already existing dire humanitarian and security situation in the Eastern DRC, which has left thousands of people dead and forced millions in North Kivu, particularly women, children, the elderly and persons with disabilities, to flee their homes.
“The rebel group M23 attacked the SAMIDRC in Goma to which SAMIDRC retaliated and successfully repelled the armed group. SADC commends the actions of the brave men and women from SAMIDRC who sacrificed their lives for the Region.”
SADC also noted that M23 aggression violated the peace agreement struck by Angolan President João Manuel Goncalves Lourenco.
“The actions of the M23 armed group contravenes the Nairobi Peace Process and is a clear violation of the agreed ceasefire brokered through the Luanda Process led by His Excellency João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço, President of the Republic of Angola in his capacity as the African Union Champion for Peace and Reconciliation in Africa.
“We, therefore, call upon all parties in the conflict to adhere to their obligations in the ceasefire, calling for immediate cessation of hostilities and atrocities perpetrated by M23, as well as unconditional withdrawal from all occupied positions.
“SADC further encourages all parties in the conflict in Eastern DRC to comply with the terms and conditions of the existing peace agreements and engage through dialogue for everlasting peace, security and stability in the DRC and the Region.
“To this end, the SAMIDRC will remain resolute in supporting efforts aimed at addressing the unstable and deteriorating security and humanitarian situation prevailing in the Eastern DRC. We call upon the international community, including the United Nations, to join us in denouncing these unlawful actions by the M23.
“SADC region reiterates its solidarity with the people of the DRC and commends them for resilience against brutal actions perpetrated by the M23 and other armed groups,” reads the statement.
The African Union (AU) has also denounced the M23’s actions, with Commission chairperson Dr Moussa Faki Mahamat expressing deep concern over the deteriorating security and humanitarian situation in the East of the DRC.
Dr Mahamat called for the strict observance of the ceasefire agreed between the parties and the immediate cessation of all hostilities.
Dr Mahamat expressed his unreserved support for such efforts, which are the only way to resolve the persistent tension between the DRC and Rwanda, on the one hand, and between the government of the DRC and its political-military opposition, on the other.
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