In a meeting in Dar-Es-Salaam, Tanzania, the foreign ministers of the region called for the silence of weapons to protect human lives and create conditions for the immediate withdrawal of the March 23 Movement (M23) group and the Rwandan Army, according to a note from the Angolan Foreign Ministry.

The ministers also considered the cessation of hostilities to be essential for the provision of humanitarian assistance, including the repatriation of the dead and the evacuation of the wounded.

In this regard, they called for the opening of the main supply routes between Goma and the main cities in the eastern region, some of which are under rebel control, as well as the navigation on Lake Kivu between Goma and Bukavu, in addition to the reopening of Goma airport and the immediate restoration of public services.

The meeting of the foreign ministers precedes the joint extraordinary summit of SADC and the East African Community (EAC), which is due to take place tomorrow in the Tanzanian city.

On Friday, the ministers met to agree on points of view on the political and security situation prevailing in the east of the DRC, the central theme of the summit, in order to define a common position aimed at ensuring a peaceful solution to the conflict.

On the occasion, SADC reaffirmed its solidarity and commitment to continue supporting the DRC in safeguarding its independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, and said it will maintain the military mission in that nation.

Angola was represented by Foreign Minister Téte António.

ef/lam/kmg