SADC
ORGAN TROIKA MINISTERIAL ASSESSMENT MISSION KINSHASA, DRC
|
|
The Southern African Development Community (SADC)
Troika of the Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation undertook an
assessment mission to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) from 10th
to 13th October 2016. The objective of the mission was to conduct an
assessment of the political and security developments in the DRC aimed at
assessing the on-going efforts related to peace and political stability of the
DRC. H.E. John Pombe Joseph Magufuli, President of the United Republic of
Tanzania in his capacity as the Chairperson of the Organ on Politics, Defence
and Security cooperation mandated the Mission.
The assessment mission was led by Hon. Dr. Augustine
P. Mahiga, Minister of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation of the
United Republic of Tanzania and Chairperson of the Ministerial Committee of the
Organ (MCO), who was accompanied by Hon. Georges Rebelo Chikoti, Minister of
External Relations of the Republic of Angola and Deputy Chairperson of the MCO,
Hon. Patricio Jose, Deputy Minister of National Defence of the Republic of
Mozambique representing the outgoing chairperson of the MCO. The Mission was
supported by the SADC Secretariat led by H.E. Dr. Stergomena Lawrence Tax,
Executive Secretary of SADC. The mission also included SADC Ambassadors
accredited in the DRC.
The Mission consulted with various stakeholders,
including SADC Ambassadors accredited to the DRC, H.E. Edem Kodjo, African
Union Facilitator of the National Dialogue, Hon. Raymond Tshibanda, Minister of
Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of DRC, Mr. Corneille Nangaa, and
Mr. Nobert Katintima, Chairperson and Deputy of the Independent Electoral
Commission (CENI) respectively, Senior Officials of the DRC Government,
Representatives of Opposition Outside the
Dialogue (Rassemblement), Representatives of Opposition in the
Dialogue, political parties in the Presidential majority led by Hon. Aubin
Minaku, civil society and religious groups.
Following consultations and exchange of views with the
various stakeholders, the Organ Troika Ministerial Mission:
1. Noted the encouraging progress in the on-going AU-led National Dialogue
and voters’ registration;
2. Commended all stakeholders participating in the National Dialogue and
noted progress made so far. Further urged all stakeholders who are not part of the
National Dialogue to join the process;
3. Encouraged all stakeholders to put the interest of the country and the
people of the DRC first in the National Dialogue in order to ensure consensus
on outstanding issues;
4. Strongly condemned the violence that took place on 19th to 20th
September 2016, which resulted in the loss of lives of innocent civilians and
police officers as well as destruction of property. Further called on all
stakeholders to act responsibly and avoid any actions that would result in any acts
of violence;
5. Strongly discouraged any attempts and threats
that are aimed at undermining the process of Dialogue.
6. Urged all stakeholders to create a conducive environment for free, fair democratic,
peaceful, transparent and credible elections in the interest of peace, national
unity, stability and socio-economic development of the country and to uphold
the principles; ideals and aspirations of the Congolese people as enshrined in
the Constitution and in accordance with SADC and AU principles and guidelines
governing democratic elections;
7. Urged all eligible Congolese voters to fully participate in the on-going
voters registration process in order to exercise their democratic right as
enshrined in the Constitution in the next elections;
8. Called upon all stakeholders in the DRC, the international community and
the Support Group to continue supporting the Africa Union-led National Dialogue
and the electoral process, with a view to ensure sustainable peace, security
and stability in the DRC; and
9. Re-affirmed SADC’s support to the ongoing National Dialogue and pledged its
full support to the final outcome.
Done in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo
12th October 2016
No comments:
Post a Comment