Paving the way for a regional summit on peace and security in the Great Lakes region
Heads of State and Government from the signatory countries of the Peace, Security and Cooperation Framework for the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and the region will meet in Bujumbura, Burundi, on 6 May 2023 for the 11th Regional Oversight Mechanism meeting of the Framework Agreement. The meeting will review progress and challenges in the implementation of the commitments under the Framework signed in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on 24 February 2013. The meeting will also stress the need for the full implementation of the decisions made in the Nairobi and Luanda peace processes on the situation in eastern DRC characterized by insecurity and the presence of illegal armed groups.
In preparation for this high-level summit, a technical meeting was held on 2 May 2023 followed by a meeting of ministers of Foreign Affairs on 4 May to set the stage. Both meetings were attended by representatives of the Guarantor institutions of the Framework agreement, namely the African Union, the United Nations, the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region, and the Southern African Development Community. Other participants included representatives of the signatory countries of the Framework agreement, as well as youth organizations and the Advisory Board for Women, Peace and Security in the Great Lakes region.
The UN Secretary-General António Guterres is among the high officials to attend the regional summit in Bujumbura.