Kampala, 21 October 2013: Special Envoy of the Secretary-General to the Great Lakes Region Mary Robinson, U.S. Special Envoy for the Great Lakes region and the Democratic Republic of Congo(DRC) Russ Feingold, Special Representative of the African Union Boubacar Diarra, European Union Senior Coordinator for the Great Lakes region Koen Vervaeke, and UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative in the DRC Martin Kobler took note at certain progress made in the negotiations at the Kampala Dialogue between the Government of the DRC and the M23 rebel group. The envoys are concerned at the volatility in the region and hope that additional progress on the significant remaining issues can be made in the coming days.
The envoys are concerned that the opportunity has not yet been seized to come to terms on a comprehensive agreement that would lead to the demobilization of the M23. The envoys however commend the good faith efforts of the Government of the Democratic Republic of Congo to negotiate an agreement.
The envoys expressed great appreciation for the leadership and diligent commitment to peace shown by Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, the Mediator of the Kampala Dialogue, as well as Ugandan Defense Minister Dr. Crispus Kiyonga, the Facilitator of the Dialogue, and the Secretariat of the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region for its role in hosting the Kampala Dialogue.
The envoys strongly urge the M23 to cease immediately all forms of violence and destabilizing activities and that its members immediately and permanently disband and lay down their arms in line with UN Security Council Resolution 2098. The envoys further warn against any acts of provocation and urge the parties to exert maximum restraint on the ground in order for the Dialogue to conclude.
