DECLARATION OF THE HEADS OF STATE AND GOVERNMENT OF THE MEMBER STATES OF THE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON THE GREAT LAKES REGION (ICGLR) ON THE SECURITY SITUATION IN EASTERN DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO (DRC)
KAMPALA, UGANDA 7-8TH AUGUST, 20122.
We, Heads of State and Government of the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR), meeting in Kampala, Uganda, on 7th and 8th August 2012, at the invitation of H.E. President Yoweri Museveni, the President of the Republic of Uganda and Chairperson of the ICGLR, to discuss the security situation in Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo;
Recalling our decision made in Addis Ababa on 15th July 2012 to meet in Kampala, Uganda to discuss the root causes of insecurity in Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo and to find ways to solve the humanitarian crisis in the area;
Taking note of the Meeting of the ICGLR Ministers of Defence on the Security Situation in the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo held in Khartoum, Sudan, on 1st August 2012;
Having considered the Report of the Extraordinary Meeting of the Regional Inter-Ministerial Committee (RIMC) of the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region on the security situation in the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo held in Kampala on 6th August, 2012;
Cognisant of the gravity of the security and humanitarian situation in Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, and the fact that it constitutes a serious threat to peace, security, stability and development in the entire Great Lakes Region;
Cognisant also of the serious deterioration of the security and humanitarian situation in Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo due to the armed activities of the so-called M23 Movement;
Recalling our firm commitment to the ICGLR Pact on Security, Stability and Development in the Great Lakes Region of 15th December 2006 and its related Protocols;
Recalling our Declaration on the security situation in Eastern DRC made at the Addis Ababa Extraordinary Summit of 15th July 2012;
Noting that the diplomatic efforts so far undertaken by the Region through the Chairman of the Summit H.E President Yoweri Museveni have created a lull in the fighting in Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo;
Determined to seek home-grown solutions to the problems of the Great Lakes Region through our established Regional Mechanisms
Considering that the Kampala Summit discussions were held in a convivial fraternal and constructive atmosphere;
DO HEREBYdecide as follows:
1. Undertake vigorous efforts with a view to ensure that there is a complete halt to fighting in Eastern Democratic of Congo; without excluding the possibility of sanctions against those who obstruct the peace process;
2. To support the efforts of the Government of the Democratic Republic of Congo in order to restore Peace and Security in Eastern DRC particularly in North Kivu Province;
3. To establish a Sub-Committee made up of the Ministers of Defence of the
following Member States: the Republic of Angola, the Republic of Burundi, the
Republic of Congo, the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Republic of Rwanda, the Republic of Uganda and the United Republic of Tanzania and ;
– Mandate the subcommittee to propose urgent actionable steps to
ensure that fighting stops completely to allow for consolidation of
peace, security and stability;
– Mandate the subcommittee to also provide details on the
operationalization of the neutral International Force;
– The Subcommittee of Ministers to be chaired by the Minister of
Defence of the Republic of Uganda;
– The Chair of the ICGLR Regional Interministerial Committee (RIMC) to
also provide support to the Subcomittee of Ministers regarding all
diplomatic aspects;
4. The Sub-Committee to submit its interim report to the Chairperson of the
ICGLR in two weeks, and its final report to the Summit of the ICGLR Heads of
State and Government in four weeks;
5. Request the Chairperson of the ICGLR to continue his consultations, including
with a view to reengaging the Team of Special Envoys and consolidating peace
in Eastern DRC;
6. Set up a Trust Fund to support victims of the humanitarian crisis in Eastern
DRC and neighbouring countries and urge Member States andother Partners to
contribute to the Fund. Thank the Government of Uganda for contributing
1,000,000 US Dollars to the Trust Fund;
7. Call upon the International Community to provide humanitarian assistance to
the victims of the conflict in Eastern DRC, and ensure that access of
humanitarian aid to the victims is not obstructed;
8. Thank the Government and the people of Uganda for the warm hospitality in hosting the extraordinary Summit of Heads of State.
Done at Kampala, Uganda, on 8th August 2012
H.E. JOSE EDUARDO DOS SANTOS
President of the Republic of Angola
H.E PIERRE NKURUNZIZA
President of the Republic of Burundi
H.E. FRANÇOIS BOZIZE
President of the Central African Republic
H.E. DENIS SASSOU-NGUESSO
President of the Republic of Congo
H.E. JOSEPH KABILA KABANGE
President of the Democratic Republic of Congo
H.E. MWAI KIBAKI
President of the Republic of Kenya
H.E. PAUL KAGAME
President of the Republic of Rwanda
H.E. OMAR HASSAN AHMED EL BASHIR
President of the Republic of the Sudan
H.E. JAKAYA MRISHO KIKWETE
President of the United Republic
H.E. YOWERI KAGUTA MUSEVENI
President of the Republic of Uganda of Tanzania
H.E. MICHAEL CHILUFYA SATA
President of the Republic of Zambia