The Executive Secretary of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Her Excellency Dr. Stergomena Lawrence Tax received the Special Envoy of the United Nations Secretary-General to the Great Lakes Region, His Excellency Said Djinnit at the SADC Secretariat Head Office in Gaborone, Botswana on 6th February 2018.
Dr. Tax welcomed the UN Special Envoy to the Great Lakes Region to the SADC Secretariat and the two discussed collaborative issues of interest in relation to the implementation of the Peace and Security Cooperation (PSC) Framework for the Great Lakes Region and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
During their meeting, the UN Special Envoy pointed out the need to review progress made in the implementation of the PSC Framework as part of celebrating its 5th year Anniversary. To this end he emphasized the importance of SADC attending the Guarantors' Review meeting scheduled to take place in February 2018. H.E. Mr. Djinnit also called for enhanced cooperation in the strengthening of women’s participation in peace and security issues.
Dr. Tax highlighted that as a co-guarantor of the PSC Framework, SADC remains committed to the implementation of the Framework. In this regard she reiterated SADC’s continued support to the DRC in her quest to restore sustainable peace and stability, and in the ongoing political and electoral process.
The Executive Secretary of SADC who was recently on a mission in the DRC, shared highlights of the mission with the UN Envoy. She expressed optimism, and commended the Government of the DRC and all stakeholders for the progress made in the implementation of the 31st December, 2016 Political Agreement, and in electoral processes. She indicated that, notable progress, include: appointments of the Prime Minister and Chairperson of the Monitoring Committee for the Political Agreement; publishing of the electoral calendar; passing of the electoral law; completion of voters’ registration; approval of resources for elections; ongoing logistical arrangements for elections; and the ongoing training of trainers that are to be followed by training and sensitization of voters.
Dr. Tax also underscored the need to strengthen the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the DRC (MUNOSCO) Force Intervention Brigade (FIB) as an urgent matter that requires commitment and support by all, as the DRC moves closer to holding of elections in December 2018.
On his part, Mr Djinnit reiterated that, the UN, and himself as the UN Special Envoy for the Great Lakes and the DRC remains committed to the PSC Framework to the Great Lakes Region and the DRC.
