Luanda – Angola welcomed, on Friday (Feb 21), the adoption of the UN Security Council resolution 2773 on the situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
According to Angola's permanent representative to the United Nations, Francisco José da Cruz, this represents a significant step in the right direction, as it paves the way to achieve the collective result that all relevant actors and stakeholders in Africa and around the world have been demanding.
Reacting to the UN Security Council's decision, the Angolan diplomat highlighted the immediate cessation of hostilities, the unconditional ceasefire, the immediate and unconditional return to the negotiating table through the Luanda and Nairobi processes and the support for sub-regional and regional efforts and initiatives to resolve the continent's issues.
He highlighted that the Council has a responsibility to assist the DRC people and Govt in achieving these aspirations, acting quickly and decisively to prevent further escalation of this conflict and promote its peaceful resolution.
“Any further delays in approving this draft resolution to support an African approach to this long and destructive conflict would have compromised the credibility of this Council in its primary responsibility, under the UN Charter, for the maintenance of international peace and security,” he stressed.
During his intervention, Francisco José da Cruz highlighted the need to maintain and consolidate the results of the Luanda Process under the mediation of the President of the Republic, João Lourenço, namely the ceasefire agreement, the adoption of a harmonized plan to neutralize the FDLR, under the responsibility of the DRC.
Such as the Force Disengagement Plan/Lift of Defensive Security Measures under the responsibility of Rwanda and the strengthening of the Ad-hoc Verification Mechanism by Intelligence experts from the three countries, Angola, DRC and Rwanda.
He emphasized that these developments have created momentum and relevance for the Nairobi Process, tasked with addressing issues due to the different armed groups operating in the DRC, including the M-23 issue.
He also reiterated that, as Chairperson of the African Union, João Lourenço, remains engaged in identifying the main issues affecting peace and security in Africa to contribute to the prevention, management and resolution of conflicts on the continent, with special emphasis and attention on the situation in eastern DRC.
The diplomat highlighted that strict observance of the ceasefire agreed between the parties and the immediate cessation of all hostilities are fundamental to creating a political environment conducive to a peaceful solution under the Luanda and Nairobi Processes.
In this context, he appealed to the international community and the UN Security Council to continue supporting ongoing regional initiatives to improve coordination and harmonization between the Luanda and Nairobi processes, aiming to promote African-led solutions to African main issues.
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