UN calls for an end to violence Secretary General António Guterres say at high level meeting of the Regional Monitoring Mechanism on the Framework for Peace, Security and Cooperation for the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and the region, held in Bujumbura, Burundi.
Since M23’s revival armed groups in the DRC in 2021, more than 500,000 people have fled He said the violence also raises concerns about the current “extremely worrying” security situation in Ituri province.
The current crisis demands action
“The current crisis shows that there is still much work to be done,” he warned, adding that ongoing violence is threatening the stability of the entire Great Lakes region.
The Framework, signed in 2013 in Addis Ababa, he said, “raised high hopes” for ending decades of violence. encourage double effort from the signatories, the African Union, the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region and the South African Development Community (SADC).
‘Put your arms down’
Repeating his appeal to armed groups, he said “put your hands down immediately and re-engage in demobilization, disarmament and reintegration.”
Within the framework, reinforcement efforts must now focus on build a platform for dialogue The Prime Minister emphasized that between the parties to identify sustainable solutions to differences, end impunity for cross-border offenders and promote peace in a comprehensive way.
Indeed, in order for peace to be sustainable, he said that the voices of women, youth and displaced people must be fully heard in all political, security and judicial processes.
Peace and development ‘go hand in hand’
Switch to regional bonuses rich natural and cultural resourcesHe said the DRC is home to the world’s second largest rainforest, accounting for 10% of global biodiversity.
“We have to make sure it becomes a source of prosperity and development, no conflict, no competition and unsustainable exploitation,” he said. “Peace and development must go hand in hand.”
“The United Nations remains fully engaged, standing with you,” he said, welcoming the initiative led by the Peace Corps and Security Council of the African Union in February to revive the Framework.
“Only together can we achieve the common goals of peace, security and cooperation of the Addis Ababa Framework,” he said. “People in the area are counting on us.”
