Attachments
Adopted by the Peace and Security Council (PSC) of the African Union (AU) at its 1261st meeting held on 14 February 2025 at the level of Heads of State and Government on the Situation in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC):
The Peace and Security Council,
Recalling its previous decisions and pronouncements on the situation in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), particularly Communiqués [PSC/MIN/COMM. 1256 (2025)] adopted by the PSC at its emergency meeting held on 28 January 2025; [PSC/AHG/COMM.1140 (2023)] adopted at its 1140th meeting held at the level of Heads of State and Government, on 17 February 2023; [PSC/PR/COMM.1203 (2024)] adopted at its 1203rd meeting held on 4 March 2024 and [PSC/MIN/COMM.1222 (2024)] adopted at its 1222nd meeting held on 15 July 2024;
Underscoring the AU principles as stipulated in Article 4 of the Constitutive Act, and the Protocol Relating to the Establishment of the Peace and Security Council of the African Union, in particular, non-interference by any Member State in the internal affairs of another; peaceful coexistence of Member States and their right to live in peace and security;
Reaffirming the solidarity of the AU with the people and the Government of the DRC in their aspirations for durable peace, security, and sustainable development, as well as the continued commitment of the AU to respect the sovereignty, independence, unity, and territorial integrity of the DRC;
Taking note of the Statement of H.E. Moussa Faki Mahamat, Chairperson of the AU Commission, on the grave situation in eastern DRC, issued on 25 January 2025;
Noting the introductory remarks by H.E. Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, President of the Republic of Equatorial Guinea and Chairperson of the Peace and Security Council of the African Union for February 2025, and the briefing by H.E. Moussa Faki Mahamat, Chairperson of the AU Commission;
Noting the statements by H.E. Félix Tshisekedi, President of the Democratic Republic of Congo delivered by H.E. Judith Suminwa Tuluka, Prime Minister and Chief of Government of the DRC; H.E. Paul Kagame, President of the Republic of Rwanda; H.E. João Lourenço, President of the Republic of Angola, Mediator in the Luanda Process, Chair of the ICGLR and AU Champion for Peace and Reconciliation; H.E. Samia Suluhu Hassan, President of the United Republic of Tanzania and Chair of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation (OPDS); H.E. Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa, President of the Republic of Zimbabwe and Chair of the SADC; and H.E. William Ruto, President of the Republic of Kenya and Chair of the East African Community (EAC); and H.E. António Guterres, United Nations Secretary-General; and
Acting under Article 7 of its Protocol, the Peace and Security Council:
1. Expresses grave concern on the deteriorating security and humanitarian situation in eastern DRC, which calls for collective action in the spirit of African Solutions to African Problems;
2. Reiterates the total respect of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Democratic Republic of Congo;
3. Unequivocally condemns the activities of M23 and its supporters, Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) and other armed groups; and calls for the immediate and unconditional ceasefire, and cessation of hostilities and the immediate withdrawal of all uninvited foreign forces, armed and terrorist groups operating in the DRC;
4. Endorses the Communique of the Joint EAC-SADC Summit of Heads of State and Government convened on 8 February 2025 in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania; the Communique of the Extraordinary Summit of the Heads of State and Government of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) held on 31 January 2025; and the Communique of the 24th Extraordinary Summit of the East Africa Community Heads of State on the recent developments in Eastern Democratic of the Congo held on 29 January 2025; and takes note of the Declaration of the VIth Extraordinary Session of the Conference of Heads of State and Government of ECCAS, Meeting in the Peace and Security Council of Central Africa, on the Humanitarian Situation in Central Africa adopted on 7 February 2025 in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea;
5. Demands unhindered and safe humanitarian access to the population in need; protection of civilians, and restoration of essential utilities in Goma and other affected areas, and re-opening of Goma International Airport;
6. Stresses that there is no military solution to the conflict and calls upon the parties to prioritize diplomatic and political engagement; in this regard, calls for immediate resumption of negotiations and dialogue with all state and non-state parties (military and non- military) including the M23under the frameworks of the Luanda and Nairobi Processes;
7. Urges the parties to take advantage of the progress made in the Luanda process, namely, the implementation of the Concept of Operations (CONOPs) of the Harmonized Plan for Neutralization of FDRL, and disengagement of forces from the DRC/the lifting of Rwanda’s defensive measures as agreed in the Luanda Process, as well as strengthening the cooperation under the framework of the Enhanced Ad-hoc verification Mechanism;
8. Commends the efforts of H.E. João Manuel Lourenço, President of the Republic of Angola, the Chair of ICGLR and AU Champion for Peace and Reconciliation, for mediating between the DRC and Rwanda; and calls on the two parties to urgently return to the Luanda Process;
9. Calls upon all Congolese armed groups to participate in the Demobilization, Disarmament, Community Recovery and Stabilization Program (P-DDRCS) and to engage unconditionally in the intra-Congolese dialogue; in this regard, commends H.E Uhuru Kenyatta, former President of the Republic of Kenya for his efforts under the Nairobi Process;
10. Supports the call for the merger of the Luanda and Nairobi processes by the Joint EAC-SADC Summit of Heads of State and Government to enhance coordination, harmonization and complementarity of the two Processes and the appointment of additional facilitators to support the merged process, in consultations with the AU Commission;
11. In this regard***, requests*** the AU Commission, EAC and SADC Secretariats to undertake the following:
i. Develop a framework to facilitate enhanced coordination and complementarity of the Luanda and Nairobi processes to optimize their effectiveness;
ii. Set up a Joint AU/EAC/SADC Coordination Mechanism to provide technical support to enhance, coordinate and complement the Luanda and Nairobi Processes, in close coordination and collaboration with other concerned RECs/RMs, notably ECCAS and ICGLR;
iii. Establish funding mechanisms to support the AU/EAC/SADC peace efforts in eastern DRC; and regular reporting mechanisms, to ensure harmonization of the decision-making process;
12. Strongly urges all parties to respect International Humanitarian Law (IHL) and International Human Rights Law (IHRL), as well as the protection of civilians, IDP camps, and medical sites, and the protection of peacekeepers, while stressing that attacks against civilians and peacekeepers constitute war crimes and strongly warns the perpetrators that they will be held accountable for their actions;
13. Underscores the need to address the root causes of the conflict, including the illegal exploitation of natural resources in the eastern DRC;
14. Commends the gallantry of the FARDC, SAMIDRC, and MONUSCO personnel; expresses deep condolences to the families and governments of the deceased, including, Republic of South Africa, Republic of Malawi, United Republic of Tanzania and Uruguay, for the loss of their peacekeepers; wishes speedy recovery to the wounded; and once again, expresses condolences to the Government and people of the DRC, for the loss of the Interim Military Governor of North Kivu and its people;
15. Decides to remain actively seized of the matter.