Peace, Security and Cooperation Framework for the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the region

Country/entity
Angola
Burundi
Central African Republic
Democratic Republic of Congo
Republic of Congo
Rwanda
South Africa
South Sudan
Tanzania
Uganda
Zambia
African Great Lakes
Region
Africa (excl MENA)
Agreement name
Peace, Security and Cooperation Framework for the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the region
Date
24 Feb 2013
Agreement status
Multiparty signed/agreed
Interim arrangement
Yes
Agreement/conflict level
Interstate/intrastate conflict(s)
Stage
Implementation/renegotiation
Conflict nature
Government
Peace process
African Great Lakes: Regional Process
Parties
H.E. Mr Parfait Anicet Mbay, for Angola; H.E. Mr. Laurent Kavakure for Burundi; H.E. Mr. Paul Kagame, President of the Republic of Rwanda; H.E. Mr. Salva Kiir Mayardit, President of the Republic of South Sudan; H.E. Mr. Whyinter Kabimba, for Zambia
Third parties
-
Description
This agreement renews state, regional and international commitment to ending the ongoing violence, aimed at creating a sustainable peace.
Main category
Page 1,
3. The consequences of this violence have been nothing short of devastating. Acts of sexual violence and serious violations of human rights are used regularly and almost daily as weapons of war. Displacement figures are among the highest in the world and persistently hover near two million people. The implementation of the country's reconstruction, security reform and poverty alleviation program is regularly disrupted.

Women, girls and gender

Participation

No specific mention.

Equality

No specific mention.

Particular groups of women

No specific mention.

International law
International law→General IHRL, IHL and IL
Page 1, 3. The consequences of this violence have been nothing short of devastating. Acts of sexual violence and serious violations of human rights are used regularly and almost daily as weapons of war.
New institutions

No specific mention.

Violence against women
Violence against women→Sexual violence
Page 1, 3. The consequences of this violence have been nothing short of devastating. Acts of sexual violence and serious violations of human rights are used regularly and almost daily as weapons of war.
Transitional justice

No specific mention.

Institutional reform

No specific mention.

Development

No specific mention.

Implementation

No specific mention.

Other

No specific mention.

ı. Signifıcant progress has been achieved in the Democratic Republic ofthe Congo over the past decade.

l"he loca!

and regional peace processes initiated at that time laid the foundation far relative peace and stability in large parts ofthe country.

Similarly, the Govemment ofthe Denıocratic Republic ofthe Congo has begun some refonns, with partners' support, that are intended to !

ay the ground foreconomic recovery, and the democratization ofthe country.

2. However, eastem Democratic Republic ofthe Co11go has continued to suffer from recurring cycles of conflict and persistent violence by armed groups, both Congolese and foreign.

3. The consequences ofthis violence have been nothing short of devastating.

Acts of sexual violence and serious violations ofhuman rights are used regularly and almost daily as weapons ofwar.

Displacement fıgures are among the highest in the world and persistently hover ne ar two mi ll ion

people.

The inıplementation ofthe country's reconstnıction, security sector reform and poverty alleviation program is regularly disrupted.

4. Despite these challenges, the recent crisis has created a window of opportunity to address the root causes of conflict and put an end to recurring cycles ofviolence.

There is increasing recognition that the current path is untenable.

Beginning with a cessation ofhostilities, concrete action is needed by the Govemnıent ofthe Democratic Republic of the Congo, with the support ofpartners, countries in the region, and the international con1munity and bui!ding on the efforts already underway by the International Conference of the Great Lakes Region and the Southern African Development Coınmunity.

5. The principles of engagement at each of these levels shall consist of commitments in the

following areas:

For the Government ofthe Democratic Republic of the Congo:

A renewed commitment:

• To continue, and deepen security sector reform, particularly with respect to the Army and Police;

• To consolidate State authority, particularly in eastern Democratic Republic ofthe Congo, including to prevent armed groups from destabilizing neighbouring countries;

• To make progress with regard to decentralization;

• To further econoınic development, including with respect to the expansion of infrastructure and basic social service delivery;

• To further structural reform ofGovernment institutions, including financial reform;

and

• To further the agenda of reconciliation, tolerance and democratization.

For the region:

A renewed commitment:

• Not to interfere in the internal affairs of neighbouring countries;

•To neither tolerate nor provide assistance or support of any kind to armed groups;

•To respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of neighbouring countries;

•To strengthen regional cooperation including deepening economic integration with special consideration for the exploitation of natura!

resources;

• To respect the legitimate concems and interests ofthe neighbouring countries, in particular regarding security matters;

• To neither harbour nor provide protection of any kind to persons accused ofwar crimes, crimes against humanity, acts of genocide or crimes of aggression, or persons falling under the United Nations sanctions regime;

and,

• To facilitate the administration of justice through judicial cooperation within the region.

For the intemational community:

• The Security Council would remain seized of the importance of supporting the long-term stability ofDemocratic Republic of the Congo and the Great Lakes region;

• A renewed commitınent by bilateral partners to remain engaged in supporting the Democratic Republic ofthe Congo and the region, including with appropriate ıneans to ensure longwterm sustainability;

and to support the implementation ofthe Protocols and priority projects ofthe Pact on Security, Stability and Development in the Great Lakes region.

• A renewed commitment ta work towards the revitalization ofthe Economic Community of the Great Lakes Countries (CEPGL) and support the implementation of its economic development and regional integration agenda;

• A strategic revie\v ofthe United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic ofthe Congo (MONUSCO) that aims to strengthen support to the Govemment to enable it to address security challenges and extend State authority;

• Appointment ofa United Nations Special Envoy ta support efforts to reach durable solutions in a multi-track plan that allows the convergence of all initiatives in progress.

Oversight mechanisms

6. To promote these principles, the Democratic Republic ofthe Congo, neighbouring countries, regional partners, and the intemational community should work in a synchronized manner.

7. A regional oversight mechanism involving these leaders ofthe region, namely the Democratic Republic ofthe Congo, the Central African Republic, the Republic of Angola, the Republic of Burundi, the Republic of the Congo, the Republic of Rwanda, the Republic of South Africa, the Republic of South Sudan, the United Republic of Tanzania, Republic of Uganda, and the Republic of Zambia with the good offices of the Secretary General ofthe United Nations, the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, the Chairperson of the Intemational Conference on the Great Lakes Region, and the Chairperson of the Southern African Development Community in the role of guarantors, shall be established to meet regularly and review progress in the implenıentation ofthe regional commitments outlined above, with due regard far the national sovereignty ofthe States concerned.

8. This 11 + 4 mechanism is in support ofthe ongoing regional efforts and shall therefore be supported by and closely linked to the African Union, the lntemational Conference ofthe Great Lakes Region, the Southem African Development Community, as well as those of other intemational partners, including the European Union, Belgium, France, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America.

The detailed plan for the implementation of this Framework will be developed jointly including the establishment of benchmarks and appropriate follow-up measures.

9. The President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo shall put in place, within the Govemınent, a national oversight mechanism in order to accompany and oversee the implementation ofthe national commitments far reform outlined above.

The United Nations, the African Union, the World Bank, the African Development Bank and other bilateral ar multilateral partners ofthe Democratic Republic ofthe Congo that are agreed upon shall provide support to this mechanism.

10. The national oversight mechanism will operate in full respect of the national sovereignty of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

11. In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) shall be part ofthe solution, continuing to work closely with the Govemment of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Done at Addis Ababa, on 24 February 2013