UN
21st meeting of the Technical Support Committee of the Regional Oversight Mechanism of the Peace, Security and Cooperation Framework
Nairobi, 27 June 2018 – The Technical Support Committee of the Peace, Security and Cooperation Framework agreement for the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and the region held its 21st meeting on 26-27 June 2018 in Nairobi, Kenya.
The meeting adopted the following agenda points: (i) Overview of the situation in the Great Lakes region; (ii) Presentation and discussion on the implementation of the 8th Regional Oversight Mechanism decisions, with particular attention to the strengthening of the Force Intervention Brigade (FIB) of the UN peacekeeping mission in the DRC (MONUSCO) and the Follow-up Mechanism on the repatriation of ex-combatants in the DRC, Uganda and Rwanda; (iii) Durable solutions for displaced populations; (iv) Promoting judicial cooperation in the region; (v) Women, peace and security; (vi) Exploitation of natural resources; and (vii) Preparation of the 9th high-level Regional Oversight Mechanism.
The meeting was attended by representatives from the following countries: Angola; Burundi; Republic of the Congo; DRC; Tanzania; Uganda; as well as Saïd Djinnit, United Nations Special Envoy for the Great Lakes region; Basile Ikouébé, African Union (AU) Special Representative for the Great Lakes Region and Head of the AU Liaison Office in Burundi; Zachary Muburi Muita, Executive-Secretary of the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR); and Moudjib Djinadou, Director of Political Affairs in MONUSCO.
On new political Developments, the participants noted the volatile political and security situation in some parts of the region, and concerns related to displacement, human rights, and the management of natural resources, which affect the populations and undermine the trust among some of the countries in the region.
With regards to the strengthening of MONUSCO’s FIB, the meeting welcomed the continued cooperation between the Congolese Armed Forces and MONUSCO.
Concerning the Follow-up Mechanism and the repatriation of former combatants, the participants discussed the repatriation of former FDLR and ex-M23 combatants and their dependents before the 20 October 2018 deadline set by the heads of State at last year’s summit in Brazzaville, Republic of Congo.
On the question of durable solutions for displaced populations, they deplored an increase in the number of Internally Displaced Persons, refugees, and asylum seekers because of violence and insecurity.
On judicial cooperation, they noted the need for progress in promoting judicial cooperation and dealing decisively with cross-border cases.
Regarding Women, Peace and Security in the region, the participants welcomed the ongoing initiatives relating to women, peace and security, including plans for missions to South Sudan, the DRC, Burundi and the Central African Republic, jointly undertaken by senior women representatives of the UN, AU, ICGLR and FemWise-Africa.
On the issue of natural resources, the Technical Support Committee members agreed that the illegal exploitation and trade of natural resources remains a source of instability in the Great Lakes region, and called on the ICGLR and the Office of the UN Special Envoy for the Great Lakes region to pursue and strengthen their cooperation to promote the implementation of key recommendations from the workshop on natural resources jointly convened in July 2017 in Nairobi.
The participants agreed to hold their next Technical Support Committee meeting in Nairobi on 2-3 October to finalize preparations for the next heads of State summit on the DRC and the Great Lakes scheduled for end of October.
