M23 welcomes Angola's mediation offer, seeks clarification on modalities
M23 want the mediation team to formally involve all stakeholders in its initiative and its terms of reference citing knowledge of the mediation offer through social media.
The M23 group on Thursday accepted Angola's offer for mediation between them and the government of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) that is set to kick off later this month.
In a statement, the group's spokesperson Lawrence Kanyuka however called for a few clarifications over DRC's involvement citing past declarations that it would not engage them in talks.
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For instance, the group called on President Felix Tshisekedi to publicly and unequivocally express his commitment to direct negotiations with them.
M23 also want the mediation team to formally involve all stakeholders in its initiative and its terms of reference citing knowledge of the mediation offer through social media.
"AFC/M23 hereby reiterates that there is no military solution to the ongoing crisis in the DRC that can effectively address the root cause of the conflicts ravaging our country," the statement adds.
The group further wants a clarification on the implementation of the resolutions adopted at the joint EAC and SADC Heads of State summit held in Dar es Salaam on February 8.
The statement follows an earlier communique issued by SADC on Thursday that reiterated its commitment to the joint Luanda/Nairobi peace processes as the regional bloc.
The communique also announced its decision to withdraw its troops from Eastern DRC.
"The Summit welcomes the United Nations Security Council resolution 2773 that gives guidance for a long-lasting solution while supporting regional efforts by the AU, East African Community, Economic Community of Central African States, International Conference on the Great Lakes Region and SADC, in convening high-level meetings and efforts under the Luanda and Nairobi mediation processes, as well as the efforts by the United Nations Secretary-General to restore peace and security in Eastern DRC," the communique said in part.
Last month, the joint EAC/SADC summit announced Kenya's former President Uhuru Kenyatta will facilitate peace efforts in Eastern DRC alongside Nigeria's former president Olusegun Obasanjo and Ethiopia's former Prime Minister Hailemariam Boshe.
"Considering the above developments, all actors are urged to observe the ceasefire announced by the EAC-SADC Summit, and the M23 and all other actors are called upon to cease any further advancements in Eastern DRC and to observe and abide by an immediate ceasefire," the joint communique stated.
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