Zambia, Tanzania urge immediate ceasefire in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo

By James Kunda

LUSAKA, Zambia (AA) — Zambia and Tanzania on Friday called for an immediate ceasefire and an end to hostilities in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.

Expressing concern over the worsening security situation in eastern Congo, the two nations emphasized the need for dialogue among stakeholders to find a peaceful resolution to the conflict.

Their call was made in a joint communique issued at the conclusion of the week-long third session of the Zambia-Tanzania Joint Permanent Commission (JPC) in Zambia's tourist hub Livingstone.

"The commission echoed calls for a ceasefire by the warring parties and dialogue by all stakeholders in order to find an amicable solution to the prevailing conflict. The commission affirmed its support to the efforts by the SADC organ Troika on politics, defence and security co-operation, noting that Tanzania was the chairperson, while Zambia was the outgoing chairperson," the communique read in part.

The statement also commended the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the East African Community (EAC) for hosting their first-ever joint summit of heads of state and government in February to address peace and stability in Congo.

As neighboring countries, Zambia and Tanzania stressed the urgency of resolving the conflict to prevent a refugee crisis and maintain regional peace and security, which are crucial for trade and integration.

The M23 rebel group has intensified its territorial control in eastern Congo since December, seizing the provincial capitals of Goma and Bukavu.

Fighting in the eastern Congo has led to the deaths of more than 7,000 people this year, Congo's Prime Minister Judith Suminwa Tuluka told the UN Human Rights Council on Monday.