The East African Community Secretary General, Dr. Peter Mathuki
ARUSHA (Tanzania), Jan 18 (NNN-KBC) — The East African Community (EAC) has called on all parties in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to establish an immediate ceasefire, respect international law, and ensure the safety and security of civilians, in order to enable a peaceful solution to the ongoing conflict.
This following an attack on worshippers at a church in Kasindi Town, North Kivu, DRC, that resulted in the deaths and injuries of scores of worshippers, on Sunday, Jan 15.
In a statement, the EAC Secretary General, Dr. Peter Mathuki conveyed EAC’s solidarity with President Fèlix Tshisekedi, the Government, and the people of DRC.
“The Secretary General strongly condemns this cowardly and heinous crime and extends his sincere condolences to the families of the victims, the people and the Government of the Democratic Republic of Congo, while wishing a speedy recovery to the injured,” the statement read.
He said EAC is committed to the restoration of peace in Eastern DRC and has extended its full support in the pursuit of a sustainable solution to the protracted security situation.
The EAC Secretary General restated the call by EAC Heads of State for all local armed groups in Eastern DRC to embrace consultations, lay down their arms, and join the political process.
Further, he reiterated the full respect for the territorial integrity of the Democratic Republic of Congo and restates the commitment to the utilisation of existing regional and global frameworks to address conflict.
Dr Mathuki reiterated the appeal by EAC Heads of State to the international community to redouble its efforts to ensure robust international support to DRC in the quest for peace in Eastern DRC.
Just last week, the former President of Kenya, Uhuru Kenyatta, in his capacity as the Facilitator for the East African Community peace process in the Eastern DRC, had the occasion to meet with the chairman and senior Political and Military Leaders of the M-23 group in order to seek to bring peace to the Eastern DRC and the North Kivu in particular. — NNN-KBC
