|
|
Addis Ababa February 25/2013 A Peace, Security and Cooperation Framework agreement for the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and the region was signed in Addis Ababa on Sunday, the African Union (AU) said.
According to a press statement AU posted on its website, the agreement was signed by the DRC, Angola, Republic of Congo, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Central African Republic (CAR), Burundi, Rwanda, South Sudan and Zambia.
The United Nations Secretary-General, the Chairperson of the AU Commission, the Chairperson of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), and the Chairperson of the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR) attended the event.
In the agreement, the Government of DRC renewed its commitment to continue and deepen security sector reform and to consolidate State Authority, particularly in eastern DRC including to prevent armed groups from destabilizing neighboring countries.
It also agreed to further structural reform of government institutions, including financial reform and to further the agenda of reconciliation, tolerance and democratization, among others.
The other signatories in the region renewed their commitment not to interfere in the internal affairs of neighboring countries and to respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of neighboring countries.
They also agreed to neither tolerate nor provide assistance or support of any kinds to armed groups and to neither harbor nor provide protection of any kind to persons accused of war crimes, crimes against humanity, acts of genocide or crimes of aggression, or persons falling under the UN sanctions regime, among others.
|
|