African Union (AU) Commission Chairperson Moussa Faki on Thursday, February 22, called for the adoption of the dialogue framework instituted by former President Uhuru Kenyatta to ease the tension in the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
In a statement, Faki appealed to DRC President Felix Tshisekedi and his Rwandan counterpart, Paul Kagame, to prioritise the strategy to foster a reasonable path to settle differences, noting that military tactic is ruled out of the equation.
Following Uhuru's exit from the presidency in 2022, he took up the mediator role in the Eastern part of DRC and urged all parties to embrace forgiveness and consider open consultative dialogue to address the conflict in the region.
In his statement, Faki urged that the grievances from all states in the region must be accounted for to ensure a positive approach towards fostering peace.
"The Chairperson of AUC, Moussa Faki Mahamat, is very concerned about the continuous tension in Eastern DRC and reiterates his call for rapid de-escalation. He calls upon regional leaders, particularly those of DRC and Rwanda, to prioritise dialogue in the framework of the two African mechanisms led by President João Lourenço of Angola and Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya, with the goal of agreeing, in a collaborative and fraternal spirit, on a reasonable pathway to settle political differences, whatever their nature," Faki explained.
"The integrity, security, sovereignty, and stability of all states in the region must necessarily be assured, and the lives of the civilian population completely protected."
Further, the AUC chairperson warned foreign powers against interfering in the internal affairs of all African countries.
He noted that the continent can resolve its internal affairs without intrusion from foreign nations.
"He calls upon all foreign powers to completely abstain from all interference in the internal affairs of all African countries, notably those of the Great Lakes Region," the AU Commission remarked.
DRC has been in conflict for over 30 years with armed forces seeking to gain control of the territory, especially in the eastern part of the country. The continent adopted several tactics including the deployment of foreign military powers to aid in restoring peace.
A notorious armed group called the M23 rebels captured areas bordering Rwanda and Uganda, prompting East African Community heads of state to deploy their troops in 2022.
Following the mediation by the EAC troops, President Tshisekedi accused the forces of cohabiting with the rebels rather than forcing them to surrender at will. This led to the DRC president ordering the withdrawal of troops from the region.
Moussa Faki's role as AUC chairperson involves coordinating member states and other institutions to carry out the commission's diplomatic resolutions.
His term is set to lapse this year, with Azimio's Raila Odinga declaring interest to succeed him in the role.
