African heads of state continue their work this Sunday, February 19, on the second day of the African Union summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The plenary takes place behind closed doors.
With our special correspondent, Florence Morice
The Heads of State should in particular pronounce themselves, in their conclusions, on the situation in Libya. Congolese President Denis-Sassou Nguesso, who heads the African Union’s High Level Committee on this country, presented his report to his peers at the end of the morning. According to our information, the principle of organizing an inclusive national reconciliation conference was put to the vote and adopted this Sunday morning.
A decision could also be taken concerning the participation of the African Union in the financing of peacekeeping operations on the continent, the fight against armed violence and terrorism in the Sahel being one of the major themes of the summit.
A position of the African Union is also expected on the sensitive issue of eastern DRC and the different Kinshasa and Kigali. According to our information, President Tshisekedi had very harsh and virulent words vis-à-vis his Rwandan neighbor as well as the position of the AU on this file, during the meeting of the Peace and Security Council, Friday, February 17.
Conclusions of the EAC-Angola mini-summit
The conclusions of the mini-summit bringing together the countries of the East African Community (EAC) and Angola, which was held on Friday morning, were delivered on the morning of this Sunday, February 19.
In this document, the Heads of State reaffirm the need for a ” cessation of hostilities » and in particular « M23 attacks against the FARDC and Monusco “.
With regard to the timetable, they refer to the decisions taken on February 9 by the Chiefs of Staff in Nairobi. Since the previous schedules were not respected, the Heads of State ” committed “, this time, to ” set up as soon as possible “a mechanism of” follow up of the implementation of the withdrawal of M23 », under the leadership of the Burundian President, Évariste Ndayishimiye.
The press release also notes full deployment of the regional force of the East African community as well as the rapid implementation of its mandate, in accordance with the decisions of the various mini-summits “. Kinshasa criticizes this Force for not using force to drive out the M23 from occupied areas.
The document also provides cantonment and disarmament of the M23 on Congolese territory »
Heads of State ” finally reiterate the need to promote political and diplomatic dialogue ” to find ” a lasting solution to the crisis »
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