A meeting of the heads of state of the seven-nation East African Community called, on Saturday, for an “immediate ceasefire by all parties” and a withdrawal of armed groups in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
The meeting in Bujumbura, the Burundian capital, comes at a time of increasing violence in eastern DRC and a few days after Pope Francis visited Kinshasa, where he condemned the “cruel atrocities” perpetrated in the country.
In a statement issued at the end of the summit, the heads of state called for the withdrawal of all armed groups, “including foreigners”, while asking the armed leaders to meet within a week to set a date for this withdrawal.
The heads of state also stressed the need for dialogue between all parties.
It is worth noting that despite Kinshasa’s accusations of Kigali’s support for the M23 rebels, DRC President Felix Tshisekedi and Rwandan President Paul Kagame participated in the meeting.
Jihan Rmili