The 21st Extraordinary Summit of Heads of State and Government of the EAC was held in Bujumbura (Burundi), where leaders pledged to cooperate for peace and development in the East African region. At the center of this meeting, the problems of security and regional destabilization, in particular around the question of the armed groups which rage in the eastern region of the DR Congo.
The leaders of the EAC have thus decided to put an end to the mandates of the Regional Peacekeeping Force, but the DRC has demanded an assessment of the presence of this force, scheduled for 15 June. In addition, the Democratic Republic of Congo refused to allow the March 23 Movement (M23) to join the verification team for the future location of the pre-cantonment of its elements.
In this extraordinary summit, several decisions were taken, including the appointment of Deputy Secretaries General and members of the Court of Justice. The DRC’s ambassador to Burundi, Willly Mulamba, accompanied the Minstatt in charge of regional integration, Antipas Mbusa Nyamwisi, to this meeting.
The summit ended on a positive note, with the announcement of a forthcoming meeting in Uganda at the request of Kenya. The DRC for its part, welcomed the facilitation of the deployment of the Regional Force, but especially for the observation of the ceasefire by the regular troops of the DRC. The country thus hopes to combine its efforts for the restoration of lasting peace in the DRC.
The decisions taken at this extraordinary summit suggest that the member countries of the EAC are determined to work together for the stability of the East African region. However, the security issue still remains a real challenge for these leaders who seek to establish peace in the region.