By Matik Kueth
On Wednesday, leaders from 12 African nations convened in Entebbe, Uganda, to reaffirm their commitment to peace, sovereignty, and security under the Peace, Security and Cooperation (PSC) Framework for the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and the Great Lakes region.
The meeting, chaired by Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, marked the 12th High-Level Session of the Regional Oversight Mechanism of the PSC Framework.
In a joint statement, the leaders urge all signatory countries to fulfill their commitments, particularly those linked to border protection, refraining from supporting armed groups, and rejecting impunity for those accused of major international crimes.
“Countries must honor their pledges to respect each other’s territorial integrity, cease all forms of support to armed factions, and refrain from offering sanctuary to individuals indicted for war crimes or under UN sanctions,” the statement read in part.
Amid ongoing violence in eastern DRC, the leaders explicitly condemned the M23 rebel group, also known as M23/AFC, for its seizure of territory and creation of alternative administrations, allegedly with external backing. They urged swift compliance with UN Security Council Resolution 2773 (2025), emphasizing key provisions demanding cessation of hostilities and withdrawal from occupied areas.
In addition to M23, other militant groups such as the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), Forces Démocratiques de Libération du Rwanda (FDLR), Résistance Pour un État de Droit au Burundi (RED Tabara), and the Coopérative Pour le Développement du Congo (CODECO) continue to destabilize eastern DRC.
The PSC communiqué demanded the unconditional disarmament of all foreign armed groups operating within the DRC.
The Operational Cell of the Contact and Coordination Group (CCG) was tasked with intensifying engagement efforts to encourage voluntary disarmament and organize the repatriation of combatants.
President Museveni, in a statement on his X (formerly Twitter) account, reiterated Uganda’s commitment to peaceful dialogue, stating, “Uganda remains steadfast in supporting dialogue and cooperation under the PSC Framework.”
As regional tensions simmer, the leaders’ united stance highlights a renewed push to address instability and restore peace in one of Africa’s most volatile regions.