An important mmeeting was held on Sunday morning in Zanzibar with Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Olivier Nduhungirehe, and the Democratic Republic of Congo’s (DRC) Deputy Foreign Minister, Hon. Gracia Yamba, engaging in direct and frank discussions facilitated by Tanzania and South Sudan, the co-chairs of the East African Community (EAC) Ministerial Retreat.
The meeting also saw the presence of ministers from Uganda, Kenya, and the EAC Deputy Secretary General in charge of political affairs.
The discussions were marked by a constructive and solution-oriented spirit.
Both Rwanda and the DRC underscored the necessity of finding a political solution to the ongoing crisis in eastern DRC.
The ministers of the two neighboring countries demonstrated a willingness to collaborate and emphasized the importance of reinvigorating the Luanda and Nairobi peace processes.
Amb.Nduhungirehe highlighted the significance of the meeting, saying that, there was direct engagement and frank discussion this morning in Zanzibar between DRC’s Deputy Foreign Minister Hon. Gracia Yamba and Rwanda’s Ministers.
Nduhungirehe further noted that, “The meeting took place in a constructive and solution-oriented spirit, and the ministers of the two neighboring countries, who demonstrated good will, underscored the need for a political solution to the crisis in eastern DRC. In this regard, concrete decisions were taken to reinvigorate Luanda and Nairobi peace processes.”
The retreat, aimed at addressing regional peace and security issues, provided a platform for the ministers to discuss and seek solutions to the challenges facing the region.
The participation of ministers from Uganda and Kenya, along with the EAC Deputy Secretary General, added weight to the discussions and highlighted the regional commitment to resolving the crisis.
The meeting’s outcomes are expected to pave the way for renewed efforts towards peace and stability in the eastern DRC, with a focus on political solutions and regional cooperation.
The reinvigoration of the Luanda and Nairobi peace processes is seen as a crucial step in addressing the root causes of the conflict and promoting lasting peace in the region.
As the EAC Ministerial Retreat continues, further discussions and engagements are anticipated to build on the momentum generated by today’s meeting.
The commitment of the regional leaders to work together and find solutions to shared challenges underscores the importance of unity and collaboration in achieving peace and stability in the East African region.
