African leaders urge adherence to peace pact, respect for sovereignty in Great Lakes talks
Addressing the situation in Sudan, the leaders urged greater cooperation to stop the influx of weapons and mercenaries, in line with the UN arms embargo.
African leaders have called for strict adherence to the peace, security and cooperation agreement, stressing the need to respect each country's sovereignty and territorial integrity.
In a one-day regional meeting held in Entebbe, Uganda, on Wednesday, heads of state and government from Angola, Burundi, the Republic of the Congo, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Kenya, Rwanda, South Africa and South Sudan gathered to discuss the security and humanitarian situation in the Great Lakes region.
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A joint communiqué from the meeting highlighted ongoing peace efforts, particularly in addressing the crisis in eastern DRC.
"We call for strict adherence to the commitments of the PSC Framework, particularly the commitments to respect, to neither tolerate nor provide assistance or support of any kind to armed groups, to respect the legitimate concerns and interests of the neighbouring countries, in particular regarding security matters, and to neither harbour nor protect any kind to persons accused of war crimes, crimes against humanity, acts of genocide or crimes of aggression, or persons falling under the United Nations sanctions regime,' the statement reads.
Natural resources
The leaders also agreed to take urgent action against the illicit exploitation and trade of natural resources, a key driver of instability across the region, in line with the regional workshop held in Khartoum, Sudan, in 2021 and sanctions outlined at the 30 November 2006 International Conference on the Great Lakes Region on combating illicit exploitation of natural resources.
Addressing the situation in Sudan, the leaders urged greater cooperation to stop the influx of weapons and mercenaries, in line with the UN arms embargo.
They also demanded an immediate end to drone attacks on Port Sudan, warning that such assaults threaten Red Sea stability and humanitarian aid operations.
Worsening eastern DRC conflict
In matters DRC, the leaders expressed serious concern over the worsening conflict in the east, citing mass civilian displacement and sexual violence.
They condemned territorial expansion and parallel administrations by the M23/AFC rebel group and called for the full implementation of UN Resolution 2773 (2025) to ease tensions and pursue a peaceful resolution.
An action plan was also adopted, reaffirming the importance of the Peace, Security, and Cooperation (PSC) Framework in addressing the root causes of instability in the DRC and the wider region.
The leaders similarly praised South Sudan's progress in implementing the Revitalised Peace Agreement and urged inclusion of groups that have yet to sign the agreement.
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