SADC consults Kinshasa on support for peace in DR Congo’s east
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Actualité.cd
A SADC delegation led by its executive secretary Elias M. Magosi was received in Kinshasa by Congolese Regional Integration Minister Floribert Anzuluni to assess support needs for peace in eastern DR Congo. Fighting between the FARDC and the FRN rebellion has intensified in recent days in South Kivu, according to Actualite.cd.
A delegation from the Southern African Development Community (SADC), led by its executive secretary Elias M. Magosi, is consulting Congolese authorities in Kinshasa on ways to support peace initiatives in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. It was received by Regional Integration Minister Floribert Anzuluni, according to Actualité.cd.
Elias M. Magosi said SADC was seeking to assess the difficulties facing the DRC and the initiatives already under way to achieve lasting peace. Floribert Anzuluni, for his part, said the Congolese government considered the security situation in the east worrying and accused Rwanda of aggression and occupation of Congolese territory, according to Actualité.cd.
The working visit, which began on 9 November and is due to run until 11 November, follows the resolutions of the extraordinary summit of the SADC Organ Troika on 22 June. It is preparing a goodwill mission by the organisation to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, according to Actualité.cd.
The move comes as fighting between the FRN and the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (FARDC) has intensified on several fronts in South Kivu. SADC withdrew its force from the east after Goma and Bukavu fell during offensives by the AFC/M23, which became the FRN, according to Actualité.cd. The announcement follows Floribert Anzuluni’s talks on the FDLR issue on 30 September and comes as Kinshasa links regional integration to Rwandan withdrawal, on 23 October.
