Bujumbura is hosting the 11th summit of the monitoring mechanism of the Addis Ababa framework agreement for the DRC on Saturday. The Heads of State and Governments of the thirteen member countries will discuss peace and security in the east of this country. Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi, also the outgoing president of the mechanism, will hand over to Burundian Head of State Evariste Ndayishimiye. But many do not expect progress.
The Burundian authorities were reluctant until late at night to give the names of the heads of state who will participate in the summit of the framework agreement which will open later in Bujumbura. Yesterday, several distinguished guests landed in Bujumbura, including Antonio Guterres from the UN, Moussa Faki from the African Union, and South African Cyril Ramaphosa.
DRC President Felix Tshisekedi is expected during the day, according to relatives. But there are already notable absentees, in particular, Paul Kagame of Rwanda – accused by Kinshasa of being behind the M23, despite his denials – or even William Ruto: the President of Kenya, who heads the East African force deployed in the eastern DRC, is said to be at odds with Kinshasa since the replacement of the commander-in-chief of this force.
The objective of this summit, according to our sources, would be to try to “revitalize” the framework agreement for peace, security, and cooperation in eastern DRC and the region, signed 10 years ago in Addis Ababa, while the crisis is in full swing in this area.
The Heads of State and Government will therefore adopt a new roadmap that should enable them to finally tackle “the root causes of the conflicts” which have plagued the Great Lakes region for decades.