COVID-19 Impact On Great Lakes Region.pdf

On 2 April 2020, the representatives of the Guarantor institutions of the Peace, Security and Cooperation Framework (PSC Framework) for the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the region held a consultative meeting via videoconference. The main purpose of the meeting was to discuss the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the region, and the impact on the implementation of the PSC Framework, including the holding of the 10th Summit of the Regional Oversight Mechanism (ROM), and to exchange on recent peace and security developments in the Great Lakes region.

The representatives of the Guarantors noted with deep concern the spreading of the COVID-19 pandemic and its potential adverse impact on the countries and the people of the Great Lakes region. They welcomed and expressed full support to coordinated efforts and joint decisions by the countries of the region to fight the pandemic, both at the national and regional levels.

The Guarantors called on the signatory countries of the PSC Framework to take every measure to protect the most vulnerable populations, and to ensure regional supply chains remain functioning through the free movement of goods and cargo. They expressed their readiness to engage international financial institutions and partners to mobilize the resources required to address the implications of the COVID-19 pandemic in the region.

In light of the increased vulnerability of women and girls, the representatives of the Guarantors called on all stakeholders to ensure that responsive support mechanisms are put in place to safeguard the lives of women and girls, as well as to combat sexual and gender-based violence in the ongoing efforts to contain the pandemic.

The Guarantors noted that the pandemic is reaching the region at a watershed moment for progress in peace, security and development. They recognized and welcomed the positive impact on the region of the peaceful transition of power in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the signing of the Political Accord for Peace and Reconciliation in the Central African Republic (CAR), and other positive developments in the region.

They expressed appreciation and support to the Governments of the region for choosing the path of cooperation, collaboration through good offices, and dialogue to resolve differences between the countries of the region. They emphasized that while consequences of the pandemic may be unprecedented and unpredictable, efforts must continue to sustain the positive gains achieved so far and advance regional cooperation without delay in the overall interest of the region.

The representatives of the Guarantors welcomed the significant progress achieved towards a comprehensive approach, including military and non-military measures, in line with the decisions of the Heads of State and Government taken during the 9th high-level meeting of the ROM held in Uganda in October 2018. They encouraged the concerned countries to pursue these efforts to prevent a re-grouping and remobilization of the negative forces at this time of uncertainty caused by the COVID-19.

They took note of the decision to postpone the 10th high-level meeting of the ROM scheduled on 27 to 29 March 2020 in Kinshasa, the DRC, and the Great Lakes Investment and Trade Conference, scheduled on 18 to 20 March 2020 in Kigali, Rwanda, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. They expressed their readiness to support these events aimed at promoting cooperation and development in the region.

The representatives of the Guarantors took note of the ongoing preparation for elections in the region, particularly the general elections scheduled in Burundi in May, and called on the Burundian authorities to ensure a peaceful, inclusive and credible electoral process.

Participants expressed their appreciation to Special Envoy Xia for convening the 7th meeting of the Guarantor institutions of the PSC Framework. They committed to pursuing their exchanges through regular consultations with a view to better supporting the Great Lakes region.