ADDIS ABABA, Feb 18 (NNN-KBC) — Heads of State from the East African Community have directed all armed groups in occupied areas in Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, DRC to withdraw by March 30.
They issued the directive during a Mini-Summit on Peace and Security on the situation in Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo held on the sidelines of the 36th Ordinary Session in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
The leaders at the same time have recommended immediate ceasefire by all armed groups.
In some of the key outcomes of the meeting, it was also directed that internally displaced persons be resettled with refugees in the Republics of Rwanda and Uganda repatriated to DRC.
Kenya’s ex-President Uhuru Kenyatta who is the East Africa Community facilitator of the EAC-led Nairobi Process on the Restoration of Peace and Stability in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo has called for urgent humanitarian aid for internally displaced people in eastern DRC.
In a statement issued a week ago, he pleaded with local and international organizations to come to the aid of the families who are suffering following continued fighting and targeted attacks.
In Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, the Heads of State recommended the formation of EAC Monitoring and Evaluation mechanism to complement expanded joint verification mechanism and adhoc verification mechanism. — NNN-KBC
