EAC Heads of State Summit Directs Immediate Ceasefire in Eastern DR Congo

His Excellency Yoweri Kaguta Museveni is in the Burundi capital, Bujumbura for the 20th Extra-Ordinary summit of the East African Community Heads of State.

On arrival at the Melchior Ndadaye International Airport, the President proceeded straight to State House Bujumbura.

President Museveni was received by his host H.E Gen Évariste Ndayishimiye and immediately proceeded to sign the visitors’ book before being ushered to the summit room.

In attendance were all the East African Heads of State with only H.E Salva Kiir missing but represented by the Minister of East African Affairs, Hon Deng Alor Kuol.

Giving his remarks before the closed-door meeting, the host and current Chairman of the EAC summit, H.E President Evariste Ndayishimiye outlined the purpose of the meeting,

“The main purpose of the meeting is to evaluate the current situation in Eastern DRC with a view of coming up with decisions that will ameliorate the security situation and facilitate the restoration of peace and security in Eastern DRC,” he said.

A communique was issued after the closed session in which the Heads of State directed an immediate ceasefire by all parties.

It further directed withdrawal including all foreign armed groups and directed the chiefs of defence forces to meet within one week and set new timelines for the withdrawal and recommend an appropriate deployment matrix.

This process will be accompanied by dialogue and any violations are to be reported to the Chairperson of the summit for immediate consultation with members of the summit.