Great Lakes civil society calls for restoration of security in DR Congo

Organisations meeting under the umbrella of the Coalition of Civil Society in the Great Lakes Region against illegal exploitation of natural resources (COSOC-GL) have demanded the restoration of security in the northeastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). We have analysed the prevailing security situation in the whole of the Great Lakes region particularly in DR Congo, and we have found that its alarming. “We have therefore demanded that there should be a cessation of this state of insecurity in DR Congo, COSOG-GL representative Prudence Bararunyeretse said. Bararunyeretse was speaking last weekend on behalf of 14 regional civil society groups, after a training workshop held in the Burundian capital Bujumbura under the Transparency Initiative in the Extractive Industries.COSOG-GL also called for the return of the displaced persons to their original homes. It urged the executive secretariat of the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR) and its member states to pursue efforts that will bring peace, security, stability and development to the region. The coalition appealed for additional aid to the victims of conflicts in DR Congo and for the promotion of sincere dialogue between regional states.It recommended the strengthening of national, regional and international instruments regarding reforms in DR Congos mining sector and in the whole of the Great Lakes region.The body urged the international community to support CIRGL efforts to restore peace in eastern DR Congo and come up with mechanisms to punish the perpetrators of war crimes, genocide, economic crimes and violations of international humanitarian law. The ICGLR countries have met several times since an M23 rebellion was formed in April in North Kivu province in the east of DR Congo. Regional countries have agreed on a neutral force to monitor borders and curb the rebellion.