Africa regional defense chiefs demand withdrawal of armed groups from Congo

By Andrew Wasike

NAIROBI, Kenya (AA) - A group of defense chiefs demanded the immediate withdrawal of armed groups on Saturday and “negative forces” in eastern Congo (DRC) following a meeting in Ethiopia.

The defense ministers from the East African Community (EAC), Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) blocs expressed in a statement their “deep concern over the prevailing insecurity and deterioration of the humanitarian situation in the country due to violence and human rights abuses committed by the M23 and other armed groups, including the FDLR and ADF.”

The M23, FDLR and ADF operate in eastern DRC and are accused of massacres, rape, and displacement of civilians.

The statement said the military heads want to establish “humanitarian corridors to facilitate humanitarian assistance to the affected populations.”

They also commended former Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta as EAC facilitator for the DRC for his peace efforts since his appointment.

The meeting was held at the invitation of the African Union Commission Chairperson, Moussa Faki Mahamat. It was chaired by Rwandan Ambassador Bankole Adeoye, Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security.

The defense ministers also underlined the need for restoring state authority in occupied parts of eastern DRC to create a conducive environment for the return of refugees, Internally Displaced Persons and to enable peaceful elections in those areas.

The purpose of the high-level meeting was to discuss and strategize regional peace initiatives in the eastern DRC.

The military chiefs were Lieut. Gen. Otavio Rodrigues De Miranda Filho from the UN, Gen. Maj. Sinomana Ignace of the EAC, Gen. Maj. Nduwumunsi Audace from ECCAS, Aviation Gen. Altino Carlos Jose Dos Santos of ICGLR, Lieut. Gen. Dennis Sitali Alibuzwi of SADC, Ychaligonza Jacques from the DRC and Lieut. Gen. Mk Mubarakh from Rwanda.