Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba emphasized the need for “honest dialogue among conflicting parties” to achieve sustainable peace
The Chiefs of Defence Forces (CDFs) from the East African Community (EAC) Member States have called for a ceasefire in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, Chimp Corps report.
The high-level meeting was held following a directive issued during the joint EAC-Southern African Development Community (SADC) Heads of State Summit earlier this month in Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania.
During the summit, regional leaders tasked the Chiefs of Defense Forces with providing technical guidance on resolving the crisis in eastern DRC, where the M23 rebel group has seized control of key cities, including Goma and Bukavu.
In preparation for the meeting, the EAC Defence Experts Working Group held preliminary discussions to outline key priorities and strategies.
The military chiefs focused on critical directives, including an immediate and unconditional ceasefire and cessation of hostilities, provision of humanitarian assistance to affected populations, opening of main supply routes to facilitate aid delivery, development of a comprehensive securitization plan for Goma and surrounding areas, immediate reopening of Goma Airport, and recommendations for other facilitative interventions to stabilize the region.
Gen Kainerugaba emphasized the need for “honest dialogue among conflicting parties” to achieve sustainable peace.
General Charles Kahariri, Kenya’s Chief of Defence Forces and Chairman of the meeting, underscored the “urgency of addressing the deteriorating security and humanitarian situation in eastern DRC.”
The meeting, which brought together defense chiefs from Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, the DRC, South Sudan, and Somalia, concluded with the signing of a final report, which includes actionable recommendations to be presented to the EAC Council of Ministers for further deliberation and implementation.
