South Sudan's English Daily Newspaper
"We Dare where others fear"
By Simon Deng & Agencies
President Salva Kiir Mayardit on Friday evening returned to Juba after undertaking a successful two-day peace tour to Rwanda, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) amidst heightened tensions in the region.
Kiir who currently serves as the Chairperson of the summit of the East African Community (EAC) heads of state, last week held discussions with his counterparts Paul Kagame of Rwanda and Évariste Ndayishimiye of Burundi on approaches to deepen inter-partner state relations and improve regional peace and security.
“The Head of State urged the EAC leaders to ensure peace and stability prevails, particularly in the Eastern part of DR Congo,” said Dr. James Pitia Morgan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation in a statement issued in Juba.
On Thursday, President Kiir embarked on an important visit to Rwanda in a bid to address mounting tensions in the East African region.
The discussions, as outlined in the communique released by the EAC secretariat Friday, focused on the critical status of peace and security within the EAC, a regional bloc that groups Burundi, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Uganda, Tanzania, and Somalia.
President Kiir and his counterpart Paul Kagame emphasized the pivotal role of peace and security in fostering social and economic development within the community and achieving the objectives of the EAC, according to the communique.
They called on partner states to comply with their obligations as enshrined in the treaty for the establishment of the EAC. The two leaders underscored the need for expeditious complimentary implementation of the political track of the EAC-led Nairobi process and the Luanda process to avert the unfolding dire security situation in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) which risks spilling over into neighboring partner states.
The Luanda and Nairobi processes refer to African regional efforts to ease the tension in the eastern DRC, including meetings in the Angolan and Kenyan capitals.
The DRC has accused Rwanda of backing M23 rebels, an accusation rejected by both Kigali and the M23 rebel group.
President Kiir started assuming the one-year chairmanship of the summit of EAC heads of state in November 2023. He took over the rotating chairmanship from Burundian President Evariste Ndayishimiye.
Kiir extended his visit to neighbouring Burundi Friday before proceeding to the DRC.
During his one-day visit to Burundi, President Kiir held a meeting with Burundian President Evariste Ndayishimiye, where they recommended the respect and implementation of agreements to solve regional conflicts.
A communique issued at the end of the consultative meeting between both presidents showed that they discussed regional issues notably the tension between Burundi and Rwanda, as well as the crisis in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo.
“Both leaders noted the need for the two sister states of Burundi and Rwanda to ensure the implementation of all previously agreed upon commitments arising out of the bilateral dialogue between the two countries,” said EAC Secretary General Peter Mathuki who read the communique, adding that the implementation of those commitments will energize the implementation of the EAC integration imperatives that include free movement of people, goods and services.
Earlier this year, Burundi closed its borders with Rwanda, accusing Rwandan authorities of supporting RED-Tabara rebels that had claimed responsibility for an attack on Dec. 22, 2023, in Gatumba, Mutimbuzi district in the province of Bujumbura, near the border with the DRC, which claimed at least 20 lives.
With regards to the crisis in eastern DRC, the communique said that both heads of state also reaffirmed their commitment to the EAC-led Nairobi process and “underscored the need for implementation with the Luanda process to avert further deterioration of the security situation in eastern DRC, which risks spilling over into neighbouring countries.”
