President Paul Kagame reiterated that sovereignty and territorial integrity should be upheld for all nations, not selectively applied. He made these remarks in the joint East African Community (EAC) and Southern African Development Community (SADC) summit on the security situation in the Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
Co-chaired by EAC Chairperson President William Ruto of Kenya and SADC Chairperson President Emmerson Mnangagwa of Zimbabwe, the March 24 summit focused on clarifying key issues and reaffirming the commitment of regional leaders to a political resolution.
The high-level virtual meeting, held in a constructive atmosphere, resulted in a key outcome—the appointment of an inclusive panel of facilitators tasked with accelerating the peace process.
The newly appointed facilitators are Kgalema Motlanthe from South Africa, Catherine Samba-Panza from the Central African Republic, and former Ethiopian President Sahle-Work Zewde.
They will collaborate with Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya and Olusegun Obasanjo of Nigeria, who were previously designated as facilitators.
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Addressing the summit, President Kagame emphasized the need for a balanced approach to resolving the crisis, highlighting Rwanda’s security concerns and the broader implications for regional stability.
“Rwanda remains concerned about our security, and this must be addressed within the framework of dealing with problems of other countries, including DRC as well. When we talk about sovereignty and territorial integrity, it should mean every country. Every country deserves respect for its territorial integrity and sovereignty,” Kagame stated.
He further stressed that sustainable peace requires addressing underlying political and social injustices. “If you want the war to end, you end the injustice, you end political problems not only for your people but also for others, including neighbors, that are affected.”
The summit marked a step forward in regional efforts to de-escalate tensions in Eastern DRC, with leaders expressing optimism about achieving lasting stability through diplomatic engagement.
“I think we are making progress. We are counting on everyone to help make positive contributions towards ending all of this,” Kagame said.
The EAC-SADC collaboration remains a crucial framework for addressing the complex security dynamics in the region, as both blocs work towards a peaceful and sustainable resolution to the ongoing crisis.
This follows the first EAC-SADC summit in February, where leaders from both regional blocs emphasized an Africa-led solution through the Luanda and Nairobi peace processes.
By Prince Ruzigana / The Kaminuza Star