Angolan President João Lourenço and Southern African Development Community (SADC) chairperson has reaffirmed the regional body’s commitment to attaining long lasting peace in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.
President Lourenço who has also been appointed mediator for peace talks between DR Congo and neighbouring Rwanda by the African Union (AU), has regretted the recent intensified fighting between in North Kivu Province between the M23 rebel fighters and the Congolese armed forces with a number of a number of civilians losing their lives as others have had to flee from their homes.
Visiting SADC headquarters in Botswana capital Gaborone on Friday, President Lourenço emphasized on the importance of dialogue between countries to foster peace and expressed particular worry with the new wave of violence in eastern DR Congo.
“It is essential that we discuss issues related to peace and security in our region. Our main concern remains the Democratic Republic of Congo, where we have recently witnessed a worrying worsening of the conflict in the east of this country, with consequences that directly affect the entire development and integration process. countries in our region,” President Lourenço declared in front of SADC executives.
Despite peace negotiations between the DR Congo and Rwanda at a standstill as the M23 rebels continue their attacks, President Lourenço reassured that SADC will continue to work for peace and security in the eastern part of the country of the country.
President Lourenço further announced the deployment of a new SADC Brigade Force mission to support the efforts of the Congolese armed forces in fighting the M23 fighters in North Kivu as part of the regional organization’s efforts towards attaining peace in the east.
“I would like to highlight here the commitment made by our organization to send a detachment of the SADC Enhanced Brigade Forces, whose main objective is to help this sister country find the quickest paths towards stability, contributing thus to the total pacification of our region,” he said.
While on mission since December 15, 2023, the SADC’s regional force in the DR Congo (SAMIRDC) has already lost more than 4 soldiers to the fierce M23 fighters.
