Title: East African Heads of State meet in Nairobi to assess the security situation in the DRC
Introduction :
On September 5, Evariste Ndayishimiye, Salva Kiir, William Ruto, Paul Kagame, Samia Suluhu Hassan and other Heads of State of the East African Community met in Nairobi to discuss the security situation in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). This extraordinary summit aimed to assess the progress made by the regional force of the EAC (East African Community) in restoring security in the region, which has long been marked by armed violence . Here is a report of this meeting and the decisions taken to deal with this crisis.
The positive results of the regional force of the EAC:
During this summit, the Heads of State expressed their satisfaction with the progress of the EAC regional force in restoring security in eastern DRC. The force has made considerable efforts to combat armed groups that have plagued the region for decades. Following this progress, the summit decided to extend the force’s mandate and the status of forces agreement for an additional three months.
The contribution of the African Union:
The final declaration of the summit also made mention of the contribution of the African Union to the regional strength of the EAC. The African Union Commission has granted financial assistance of US$2 million to the military wing of the EAC to support its operations on the ground. This contribution demonstrates the African Union’s commitment to promoting peace and security in the region.
Ongoing challenges and next steps:
Despite the progress made, the security situation in eastern DRC remains worrying. Armed groups continue to sow terror and threaten the stability of the region. The Heads of State therefore agreed to strengthen efforts to combat these groups and coordinate their actions to guarantee the security of local populations.
Conclusion :
The meeting of Heads of State of the East African Community in Nairobi was an opportunity to take stock of the security situation in eastern DRC. The progress made by the EAC regional force has been commended, but challenges persist and require concerted action. The Heads of State are committed to strengthening the fight against armed groups and guaranteeing the security of local populations. The international community must continue to support these efforts to end the violence and promote stability in the region.