Quadripartite Summit of the East African Community, Economic Community of Central African States, International Conference on the Great Lakes Region and Southern African Development Community, Under the Auspices of the African Union

TUESDAY, 27 JUNE 2023

LUANDA, REPUBLIC OF ANGOLA

QUADRIPARTITE SUMMIT/1/2023

COMMUNIQUE

At the invitation of the Chairperson of the African Union (AU) Commission, H.E. Moussa Faki Mahamat, and chaired by H.E. Azali Assoumani, President of the Union of The Comoros and Chairperson of the AU, the Quadripartite Summit on coordination and harmonization of peace initiatives in the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, comprising the East African Community (EAC), the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR), and the Southern African Development Community (SADC), as well as the concerned countries namely, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and the Republic of Rwanda, with the participation of the United Nations (UN), was held on Tuesday 27 June 2023 in Luanda, the Republic of Angola.

The Quadripartite Summit was attended by H.E. João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço, President of the Republic of Angola, AU Champion for Peace and Reconciliation in Africa and Chairperson of the ICGLR; H.E. Félix-Antone Tshisekedi Tshilombo, President of the Democratic Republic of Congo; H.E. Évariste Ndayishimiye, President of the Republic of Burundi, Chairperson of the EAC and the Peace, Security and Cooperation Framework for DRC and the Region, as well as AU Champion for Youth, Peace and Security in Africa; H.E. Ali Bongo Ondimba, President of the Republic of Gabon and Chairperson of the ECCAS; H.E. Dr. Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa, President of the Republic of Zimbabwe and Chairperson of the AU Peace and Security Council for June 2023; H.E. Dr. Nangolo Mbumba, Vice President of the Republic of Namibia, representing the President of the Republic of Namibia and Chairperson of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Affairs; and Hon. Vincent Biruta, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Republic of Rwanda representing H.E. Paul Kagame, President of the Republic of Rwanda; and H.E. Uhuru Kenyatta, former President of the Republic of Kenya and the Facilitator of the EAC-led Nairobi Process.

In addition, Ambassador Dr. Peter Mutuku Mathuki, Secretary General of the EAC; Ambassador Gilberto da Piedade Verissimo, Chairperson of ECCAS Commission; Ambassador Joao Samuel Caholo, Executive Secretary of the ICGLR; and Ambassador Elias Magosi, Executive Secretary of the SADC; and Mr. Parfait Onanga-Anyanga, Special Representative of the Secretary-General to the AU and Head of the United Nations Office to the AU, representing the UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres; attended the Summit.

The Summit was briefed on the peace initiatives of the Members of the Quadripartite through the Regional Economic Communities and Regional Mechanism (RECs/RM) in Eastern DRC on progress towards achieving peace, security and stability, as well as addressing the humanitarian situation. 

In this regard, the Quadripartite Summit:

1. Takes note of the Report of the Ministers of the Quadripartite on Coordination and Harmonization of Regional Peace Initiatives on restoration of peace and security in Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo and endorses the recommendations therein;

2. Welcomes the achievements on the political, military, humanitarian and socio-economic processes registered so far by the various stakeholders aiming at resolving the challenges facing the Eastern DRC and commends these RECs/RM for their tireless efforts;

3. Highly commends H.E. Félix Tshisekedi, President of the Democratic Republic of Congo and H.E. Paul Kagame, President of the Republic of Rwanda for their commitments toward peaceful resolution of the conflict through dialogue and mediation under the facilitation of H.E. João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço, President of the Republic of Angola, AU Champion for Peace and Reconciliation and Chairperson of the ICGLR;

4. Further notes the progress made by the EAC and in this regard, applauds the efforts deployed by H.E. Évariste Ndayishimiye, President of the Republic of Burundi, Chairperson of the EAC, Chairperson of the Peace and Security Cooperation Framework for DRC and the Region and the AU Champion for Youth, Peace and Security in Africa; and H.E. Uhuru Kenyatta, former President of the Republic of Kenya and the Facilitator of the EAC-led Nairobi Process, while commending the EAC Regional Force for its operations towards the restoration of peace and stability in the Eastern DRC;

5. Also acknowledges the commitment of ECCAS to fully cooperate with other regional organizations on political, diplomatic and security initiatives aimed at the pacification and stabilization of Eastern DRC;

6. Commends the efforts by the EAC, ECCAS, ICGLR and SADC for their recognition of the need for a harmonized and coordinated approach under the leadership of the African Union to address the various security threats facing the Great Lakes Region and encourages them to further strengthen their cooperation in order to enhance collective security in the region; in this context, commends SADC, in particular, for its initiative calling for the strengthening of the harmonization and coordination of all political and diplomatic initiatives and efforts in pursuit of peace and security in Eastern DRC;

7. Expresses concern over the prevailing insecurity and humanitarian situation in the DRC, exacerbated by the criminal activities of the armed and terrorist groups; in this regard, demands the immediate and unconditional withdrawal of all armed groups, in particular the M23, ADF and FDLR, while noting the non-compliance of the M23 to withdraw from the occupied territories as outlined in the Luanda Roadmap of 23 November 2022; and calls for the establishment of humanitarian corridors to facilitate humanitarian assistance;

8. Welcomes the progress made on the preparation for the pre-cantonment and cantonment sites for the disarmament of the M23, and underscores the need to continue implementing the Disarmament, Demobilization, Reintegration Community Stabilization (DDRC-S) Programme for ex-combatants;

9. Emphasizes the essence of restoration of state authority in occupied parts of Eastern DRC to create a conducive environment for the return of refugees and Internally Displaced Persons and to enable peaceful elections in those areas;

10. In this context, adopts the “Joint Framework on Coordination and Harmonization of Peace Initiatives in Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) by the East African Community (EAC), Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR), Southern African Development Community (SADC), and the United Nation (UN) under the auspices of the AU” which seeks to promote coherence of the existing peace initiatives of the Quadripartite in line with the relevant instruments and decisions with a clear division of responsibilities and agreed timelines;

11. Endorses the establishment of a “Multilevel Coordination Working Group” composed of the representatives of the DRC and Rwanda, the AU, the Chairs of the EAC, ICGLR, SADC and ECCAS, as well as the UN, with a focus on political, diplomatic, military, humanitarian and socio-economic dimensions to facilitate the continued exchange of information to foster coherence; and directs that the Working Group be coordinated under the auspices of the AU;

12. Requests Members of the Quadripartite Platform to fully implement the Joint Framework on Coordination and Harmonization and report to the AU Peace and Security Council on a quarterly basis and other relevant statutory meetings of the AU;

13. Reiterates the previous decisions, mechanisms and peace initiatives of the concerned RECs/RM on the situation in Eastern DRC as the foundation of the Joint Framework and emphasizes the need for a coordinated and collaborated manner to ensure full and efficient implementation;

14. Also requests the AU Commission to convene a meeting of the Chiefs of Defence of the Members of the Quadripartite to coordinate existing and planned deployments in Eastern DRC, in agreement with the Government of the DRC;

15. Underlines the critical importance for timely information-sharing and constant consultations between the African Union Commission, the United Nations, and regional bodies regarding efforts for the restoration of peace and stability in eastern DRC and the Region;

16. Reaffirms the central role of the PSCF Agreement and its governance mechanism for coordinating and exchange of information in order to ensure peace and security in Eastern DRC and the region and calls for its full implementation by the signatories and guarantors;

17. Notes with concern the lack of predictable, adequate and sustainable funding for the peace initiatives in the Eastern DRC; and therefore, directs the AU Commission in coordination with Members of the Quadripartite, to undertake resource mobilization for the efficient and effective implementation of the Joint Framework on Coordination and Harmonization as adopted by the Quadripartite Platform;

18. Welcomes the signing of the Grant Agreement of 2 million USD between the AU and the EAC in facilitating the operations of the EAC-Regional Force in Eastern DRC and applauds the Republics of Angola and Senegal for their financial support of 1 million Euro each to the EAC-led Nairobi Process;

19. Also welcomes the announcement by the Republic of Gabon of the sum of 500,000 USD as part of contributions towards peace efforts in Eastern DRC; and appeals to other AU Member States to voluntarily contribute financially to the peace processes in Africa;

20. Recognizes the gallant efforts by the Armed Forces of DRC (FARDC), EAC-RF and the UN Stabilization Mission in the Congo (MONUSCO) aimed at eradicating all negative forces operating in the Region; also salutes all men and women, including civilians, who have paid the ultimate sacrifice in Eastern DRC; and expresses deep condolences to their families and countries, while wishing a speedy recovery to the injured;

21. Expresses appreciation to the Republic of Angola, through H.E. João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço, President of the Republic of Angola, for successfully hosting the inaugural Quadripartite Summit;

22. Decides to institutionalize the Quadripartite Summit, as a platform for coordination, harmonization and high-level consultations on the situation in Eastern DRC; in this regard, looks forward to the convening of the 2nd Quadripartite Summit and welcomes the offer by the Republic of Burundi to host the 2nd Quadripartite Summit in Bujumbura, Burundi.

Adopted on 27 June 2023 in Luanda, Angola.