Summary:
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UN Chief Urges Armed Groups to Lay Down Arms and Join Peace ProcessUN Secretary-General António Guterres has reiterated his call for armed groups to lay down their arms and join the demobilization, disarmament, and reintegration process.
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The Secretary-General’s call for armed groups to lay down their arms and rejoin the peace process is a critical step towards achieving lasting peace and stability in the region.
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DRC’s Rich Resources Must be a Source of Prosperity and Development UN Secretary-General António Guterres has emphasized that peace and development must go hand in hand, particularly in a region as rich in natural and cultural resources as the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
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The UN remains committed to supporting the signatory countries, the African Union, the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region, and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) in their efforts to build a foundation of dialogue, end impunity, and advance inclusive peace.
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Conclusion Secretary-General António Guterres’ call for an end to the violence in the DRC and the region is a reminder of the urgent need for all stakeholders to redouble their efforts to achieve lasting peace and cooperation.
In a high-level meeting of the Regional Oversight Mechanism of the Peace, Security and Cooperation Framework for the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and the region, held in the capital of Burundi, Bujumbura, the UN Secretary-General António Guterres made a resounding call to end the violence that has plagued the region for far too long.
With the resurgence of the M23 armed group in the DRC in 2021, the violence has displaced more than 500,000 people, prompting Guterres to highlight the dire situation in the region. The Secretary-General expressed his concerns about the “extremely worrisome” security situation in Ituri province and called on all parties involved to find a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
The violence must end, and the people of the DRC and the surrounding regions deserve peace and security. As the UN Secretary-General, Guterres has made it his mission to ensure that the world’s most vulnerable populations are protected, and this meeting was no exception.
The Secretary-General’s words are a reminder that the situation in the DRC and the surrounding regions is critical, and urgent action must be taken. With key phrases like “end the violence,” “M23 armed group,” and “Ituri province,” this message is sure to rank highly in search engines, ensuring that the world is aware of the situation and the need for action.
Urgent action is required to address the ongoing crisis in the Great Lakes region
The current situation threatens to destabilize the entire area, and Guterres has called for increased efforts to bring an end to the violence.
The Framework for Peace, Security and Cooperation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and the region, signed in 2013, had raised hopes for an end to the long-standing conflict. However, Guterres stressed that much still remains to be done, and the current crisis demands immediate attention from all stakeholders.
The Current Crisis Threatens Stability of Great Lakes Region
The UN Secretary-General has highlighted the severity of the ongoing crisis in the Great Lakes region, warning that the violence threatens the stability of the entire area. The situation is dire, with over 500,000 people displaced by the resurgence of the M23 armed group in the DRC in 2021. The violence has also had a devastating impact on the people of Ituri province.
Redoubled Efforts Required to End Violence
The Framework for Peace, Security and Cooperation in the DRC and the region had raised hopes for an end to the violence. However, Guterres has emphasized that much remains to be done, and redoubled efforts are required from all stakeholders. This includes the signatory countries, the African Union, the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region, and the Southern African Development Community (SADC).
Framework for Peace, Security and Cooperation in the DRC and the Region
The Framework for Peace, Security and Cooperation in the DRC and the region was signed in 2013 in Addis Ababa. It was seen as a significant step towards ending decades of violence and conflict in the area. The Framework brought together signatory countries, the African Union, the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region, and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) in a collaborative effort to achieve lasting peace and stability.
UN Chief Urges Armed Groups to Lay Down Arms and Join Peace Process
UN Secretary-General António Guterres has reiterated his call for armed groups to lay down their arms and join the demobilization, disarmament, and reintegration process. This is a crucial step towards achieving lasting peace and stability in the region.
Building a Foundation of Dialogue and Ending Impunity for Perpetrators
The Framework for Peace, Security and Cooperation in the DRC and the region must now focus on building a foundation of dialogue among parties to identify sustainable solutions to differences. This includes ending impunity for perpetrators of cross-border crimes, which is essential to achieving lasting peace.
Inclusive Peace Requires Voices of Women
Young People and Displaced Persons for peace to be sustainable, the voices of women, young people, and displaced persons must be fully heard in all political, security, and judicial processes. This is a crucial aspect of achieving inclusive peace that represents the needs and interests of all members of society.
Guterres emphasized that the Framework must prioritize boosting efforts towards achieving sustainable peace. This involves building a foundation of dialogue among parties, ending impunity for perpetrators of cross-border crimes, and ensuring the full inclusion of marginalized groups, such as women, young people, and displaced persons, in all peace processes.
The Secretary-General’s call for armed groups to lay down their arms and rejoin the peace process is a critical step towards achieving lasting peace and stability in the region. The Framework for Peace, Security and Cooperation in the DRC and the region must prioritize the voices of marginalized groups to ensure that peace is inclusive and representative of all members of society.
DRC’s Rich Resources Must be a Source of Prosperity and Development
UN Secretary-General António Guterres has emphasized that peace and development must go hand in hand, particularly in a region as rich in natural and cultural resources as the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). With the world’s second-largest rainforest and accounting for 10 percent of global biodiversity, the DRC’s resources must become a source of prosperity and development, rather than conflict and unsustainable exploitation.
The UN is Fully Engaged in Achieving Peace and Cooperation
Guterres welcomed the initiative taken by the Peace and Security Council of the African Union in February to revitalize the Framework for Peace, Security and Cooperation in the DRC and the region. The UN remains fully engaged in achieving the common objectives of peace, security, and cooperation of the Addis Ababa Framework.
Only Together Can We Achieve Peace and Security
Guterres stressed that the peoples of the region are counting on the international community to work together to achieve lasting peace and security. The UN remains committed to supporting the signatory countries, the African Union, the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region, and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) in their efforts to build a foundation of dialogue, end impunity, and advance inclusive peace.
Conclusion
Secretary-General António Guterres’ call for an end to the violence in the DRC and the region is a reminder of the urgent need for all stakeholders to redouble their efforts to achieve lasting peace and cooperation. The Framework for Peace, Security and Cooperation signed in 2013 raised many hopes, but the current crisis shows that much remains to be done. The voices of women, young people and displaced persons must be heard in all political, security and judicial processes to ensure that peace is sustainable. The UN remains fully engaged in supporting the efforts of the signatory countries, the African Union, the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region, and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) to achieve the common objectives of peace, security, and cooperation of the Addis Ababa Framework. It is only through working together that we can ensure that the rich resources of the region become a source of prosperity and development, rather than conflict and exploitation.
