ICGLR speaks tough on DR Congo rebels

DEUS NGOWI

Ambassador Innocent Shiyo

AS the International Conference on Great Lakes Region calls for strengthened operations against negative forces, the DR Congo is calling for countries hosting Burundian refugees to facilitate their return due to improved security back home.

The seventh ordinary Summit of ICGLR Heads of State and Government held in Brazzaville, Republic of Congo yesterday recommended that operations conducted by armed forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo with support of the UN stabilization Mission in the DRC (MONUSCO) and the Force Intervention Brigade (FIB) should gear towards neutralizing all armed groups.

A statement released by Ambassador Innocent Shiyo of the Department of Regional Cooperation from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation from Brazzaville, unveiled that the leaders had specifically targeted the rebel groups – the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) and the socalled democratic forces for the liberation of Rwanda (FDLR).

The leaders, with the oncoming ICGLR Chairman – President of the Republic of Congo, Denis Sassou Ngueso, urged MONUSCO, African Union (AU), ICGLR and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the international community to speed up repatriation to Rwanda of the ex-FDLR combatants currently in transit camps in Kanyabayonga, Walungu and Kisangani.

Ambassador Shiyo said that the meeting urged for an evaluation meeting to review the implementation of the com mitments contained in the Nairobi Declarations on the M-23. Among other things, the Declaration calls on M23 to end rebellion and transform itself into a legitimate political party. It also resolved to demobilise former M23 combatants.

On Rwanda and its refugees, the meeting urged countries hosting Burundi refugees to facilitate return of those willing. Tanzania being one of such countries, had initiated the exercise, and the call was made in the western part of Tanzania by President Pierre Nkurunziza of Burundi and his Tanzanian counterpart, Dr John Magufuli. ICGLR has, however, advised that refugees unwilling to go back be settled away from the common border.

The leaders also reaffirmed their support to EAC-led inter-Burundian dialogue and insisted all parties to finalise consultations and commit to a peaceful resolution on all issues.

On South Sudan, the leaders condemned continued attacks perpetrated by various armed groups against defenceless and innocent civilians around the country, resulting in loss of lives, mass displacement and destruction of property.

“We have also been working closely with our partners. Together with SADC and the Troop Contributing Countries (TCCs) in the eastern DRC, we have engaged the UN Secretariat in New York in order to streamline the mandate of the Force Intervention Brigade (FIB), by advocating a oneforce-one mandate principle, increase their airlift capabilities as well as providing for their representation at Force Headquarters.