Brussels, 16/12/2013 (Agence Europe) - Following the military defeat of the M23 rebels in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and the conclusion of the Kampala talks between the Congolese government and the M23, the time has come to implement in full all of the commitments of the framework agreement for peace, security and cooperation concluded in Addis Ababa (Ethiopia) in February between the countries of the region, stated the Foreign Affairs Ministers of the 28, in Brussels on 16 December. In unanimous conclusions, the Council of the EU calls on the 11 signatory countries to do what is needed to keep to their national, regional and international commitments and reaffirms the EU's full support for this agreement (see EUROPE 10984).
“The steps which have been taken in recent months open up a unique opportunity for the region, with the support of the international partners, to tackle the fundamental problems it faces”, which have caused the instability in the region. In this regard, the Council reiterates the importance of systematic and continuous political dialogue between all countries of the region in order to increase mutual confidence. The EU deplores the suffering engendered by the different armed groups in eastern DRC and the significant loss of civilian life, as well as MONUSCO peacekeepers' lives, and the displacement of hundreds of thousands of civilians. The EU reiterates its insistence that special attention be paid to child soldiers and the victims of sexual violence, and to the fight against the impunity of perpetrators of war crimes and crimes against humanity.
The EU welcomes the priority given to security sector reform by President Kabila, and notes that the forthcoming electoral cycle will offer an opportunity for further democratisation.
The Council confirms the commitment made on 12 December by the development ministers to guarantee that the programming of resources under the European Development Fund (€1.3 billion for 2014-2020), per country and per region, will take account of the recommendations of the Court of Auditors, although the European Development Commissioner, Andris Piebalgs, believes that the Court's ruling was “a political judgement”. The programming of aid by the member states should contribute to both the long-term stabilisation and the development of the Great Lakes region. The Council also encourages the joint programming of aid between the European Commission and the member states, in partnership with the Great Lakes countries and the regional organisations concerned, and calls for increased coordination of donors. Belgium suggested the pooling of the resources of the Commission and of the donors for a “Re-Establishment Programme for Central Africa”. Heed has been take of this idea, but it has yet to be formally enshrined. (AN/transl.fl)