Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Burundi Times
Published on 2024-02-14 16:03:12
Burundi’s president Evariste Ndayishimiye arrived in Kinshasa on Tuesday for consultations on Peace and Security in the Democratic Republic of Congo. This visit is part of his role as President of the Regional Oversight Mechanism of the Peace, Security and Cooperation Framework for the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the region. The Regional Oversight Mechanism meets once a year at Head of State and Government level to review progress in the implementation of national and regional commitments under the Framework signed in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia in 2013. The Framework agreement was signed by 13 countries and four Guarantor institutions of the UN, AU, ICGLR, and SADC, to end the recurring cycles of conflicts in eastern DRC. The 13 signatory countries include 7 EAC partner states of Burundi, DRC, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, South Sudan, and Uganda.
President Ndayishimiye’s visit comes amid increased tension and fighting between the DRC army (FARDC) and the M23 in the eastern part of the country, with civilians caught in the crossfire. Kinshasa has accused Rwanda of supporting the M23 rebels that have continued to destabilize the eastern part of the country, allegations that Kigali has denied. Rwanda’s relations with two of its neighbors, DRC and Burundi, have deteriorated significantly, with Burundi closing all its land borders with Rwanda in January of this year. Gitega has accused Kigali of supporting the rebel group Red Tabara, which carried out an attack in Gatumba, a town bordering DRC that claimed 20 civilian lives. Red Tabara is a rebel group believed to have been formed by those accused of plotting the 2015 failed coup d’état to oust the then President Pierre Nkurunziza. Gitega has said that dialogue to extradite the accused, who are said to be sheltered in Rwanda, was futile. Rwanda’s government has repeatedly denied the accusations of supporting any rebel group to destabilize Burundi.
President Ndayishimiye’s visit to Kinshasa is aimed at addressing these regional conflicts and promoting peace and security in the region. The visit also underscores the importance of collaboration and cooperation between neighboring countries to address shared security challenges. The ongoing tensions and conflicts in the eastern DRC have had significant humanitarian consequences, with civilians bearing the brunt of the violence. It is essential for regional leaders to come together to find lasting and sustainable solutions to these conflicts, to prevent further loss of life and displacement of communities.
The visit also highlights the importance of regional mechanisms such as the Peace, Security, and Cooperation Framework for the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the region in addressing conflicts and promoting stability. Such mechanisms provide a platform for countries to come together to address shared security challenges and work towards sustainable peace in the region. By participating in these consultations, President Ndayishimiye is demonstrating a commitment to regional peace and security and highlighting the role that Burundi plays in these efforts.
In conclusion, President Evariste Ndayishimiye’s visit to Kinshasa for consultations on Peace and Security in the Democratic Republic of Congo is a significant step towards addressing regional conflicts and promoting stability in the region. It underscores the importance of regional collaboration and cooperation in addressing shared security challenges, and the need for lasting solutions to prevent further loss of life and displacement of communities. As President of the Regional Oversight Mechanism of the Peace, Security, and Cooperation Framework, President Ndayishimiye’s involvement in these consultations reflects a commitment to regional peace and security and the role that Burundi plays in these efforts.
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