The OACPS joins the international community in expressing deep concern over the recent escalation of the protracted conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) which has resulted in the loss of civilian lives as well as casualties among UN peacekeepers serving under MONUSCO
In solidarity with the Government and People of the DRC, the OACPS extends its sincere condolences and sympathies to H.E. Felix Tshisekedi, President of the Democratic Republic of Congo, for the regrettable loss of life and property. We also extend our condolences to all troop-contributing countries, particularly those from OACPS Member States that have lost soldiers in this conflict and wish a full and speedy recovery to the wounded.
As an organisation committed to promoting peace, stability, regional cooperation, and peaceful co-existence of neighbouring countries, the OACPS calls for a renewed focus on dialogue and diplomatic engagement as the most viable path toward a peaceful and lasting resolution to the situation in the DRC and the wider Great Lakes region.
The OACPS acknowledges and commends the leadership the African Union through its Luanda Process facilitated by the African Union-appointed mediator, His Excellency João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço, President of Angola and President-in-Office of the OACPS Summit alongside the East African Community (EAC) in advancing regional peace efforts through its Nairobi Process. The OACPS reaffirms its support for these critical mediation and peacebuilding efforts and encourages all parties to actively engage in these frameworks to foster a sustainable resolution to the conflict.
The OACPS supports the call made by the United Nations for the protection of civilians particularly vulnerable groups, such as women and children, in the conflict and underscores the importance of humanitarian access to affected populations and for the cessation of violence.
The OACPS welcomes the conclusions by East African Community and the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) following their summits which are aligned with the democratic values promoted by the OACPS in its Revised Georgetown Agreement.

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