South Africa : Motlanthe calls for immediate ceasefire in eastern DRC

By Michael Appel

Johannesburg – South African President Kgalema Motlanthe has called for an immediate ceasefire in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) so that humanitarian aid can be given to hundreds of thousands of displaced people.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of an Extra-Ordinary Southern African Development Community (SADC) Summit, on Sunday, President Motlanthe said: “The purpose of this summit is to discuss the instability and humanitarian crisis unfolding in the eastern part of the DRC [as well as the political challenges in Zimbabwe].”

Peace and stability, he said, are crucial to the development of the SADC region and the continent, adding that the objective of the summit will be to conclusively resolve the issues before SADC.

Critical to the success of regional initiatives is that African solutions are found to African problems, he said, adding speedy resolutions to both the situation in the eastern DRC and Zimbabwe are necessary for the development of the region.

The President highlighted that he was pleased with diplomatic engagements between DRC and Rwanda.

Rwanda has been accused of allegedly supplying rebel General Laurent Nkunda’s forces fighting in the eastern DRC, but the Rwandan government has vehemently denied these claims.

The solution to the problems in the DRC must be a political solution and can only be found through frank dialogue, he said.

The President called on the United Nations (UN) peacekeeping mission in the DRC, known as MONUC, to continue protecting civilians.

With regard to Zimbabwe, President Motlanthe highlighted the historic power sharing agreement signed between all parties on 15 September 2008 was supposed to usher in a new period in which socio-economic challenges could be addressed.

SADC is however disheartened by the fact that two months have passed and the three parties have not been able to reach agreement on various issues relating to the formation of an inclusive government.

Which party will take over the reigns of the government portfolio of the Ministry of Home Affairs remains a sticking point in negotiations, said President Motlanthe.

“We remain ready to assist the people of the DRC and Zimbabwe to achieve a lasting peace,” said President Motlanthe, who is also Chairperson of SADC.

The President is joined by presidents and ministers from the SADC region including Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe, the two Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) faction leaders Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai and Deputy Prime Minister Arthur Mutambara, as well as DRC President Joseph Kabila. - BuaNews