The Chairperson of the African Union Commission, H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, this morning delivered keynote remarks at the Preparatory Working Session for the High-Level Meeting on the Coherence & Consolidation of the Peace Process in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) & the Great Lakes Region, held at the Congress Palace in Lomé.
The session was attended by the Panel of Facilitators made up of former Heads of States, the Foreign Minister of Togo, heads of East African Community and the Southern Africa Development Community, & other partners.
The Chairperson reaffirmed Africa’s unwavering commitment to ending the crisis in eastern DRC & commended the leadership of President Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé for accepting the mandate to serve as AU Mediator, in keeping with the values of Pan-Africanism.
Noting that despite multiple mediation initiatives, violence persists in Goma, Bukavu, & Uvira, resulting in thousands of deaths and the displacement of hundreds of thousands. The Chairperson stressed that African-led efforts must now take precedence, giving concrete meaning to the principle of African Solutions to African Problems.
H.E. Mr. Youssouf underscored the need for a proactive & inclusive framework that fosters dialogue between the DRC & Rwanda, engages neighbouring countries, addresses the root causes of the conflict, safeguards the sovereignty of the DRC, responds to the legitimate security concerns of Rwanda & Uganda, & supports Burundi in managing the growing refugee burden.
He thanked the Governments of the United States & of Qatar for their critical role in complimenting the efforts of the African Union.
The Chairperson concluded by emphasising that, Africa must demonstrate courage, unity, & collective responsibility in the pursuit of peace.
