In a communique issued at the end of the 5th Ordinary Summit of the Heads of State and Government of the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR) in Luanda, Angola, the leaders committed to continue supporting the IGAD-led mediation efforts in South Sudan.
The communique signed by Presidents Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya, Joseph Kabila of DRC, Yoweri Museveni of Uganda, Paul Kagame of Rwanda and host President Jose Eduardo Dos Santos, denounced perpetrators of atrocities, war crimes, crimes against humanity, sexual violence and recruitment of child soldiers in South Sudan.
The leaders urged the African Union to strengthen the International Mission for the Stabilisation of Central African Republic (MISCA) by availing resources and logistical support.
On DRC, they called on the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUSCO) to urgently intensify its operations to eradicate all negative forces operating in Eastern DRC.
The regional leaders commended the entire team of envoys led by Mrs. Mary Robinson, the Special Envoy of the UN Secretary General to the Great Lakes Region, for the progress made in implementation of the Peace, Security and Cooperation Framework for the DRC and the region.
ICGLR member states were urged to involve more women in the peace process in the region, particularly in dialogue and mediation efforts.