By Kei Emmanuel Duku
Regional leaders and diplomats from the Great Lakes are convening in Uganda’s capital, Kampala.
The primary focus is the ongoing conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and its neighboring countries.
South Sudan is represented by Ambassador Monday Semaya K. Kumba, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.
He is participating in the twelfth High-level Meeting of the Regional Oversight Mechanism (ROM) of the Peace, Security, and Cooperation (PSC) Framework for the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the wider region.
This summit takes place against a backdrop of a deteriorating security situation. The resurgence, territorial acquisition, and expansion by the March 23 Movement (M23)/Congo River Alliance, reportedly supported by some external actors, has led to significant loss of human life, humanitarian crises, and heightened tensions within the region.
After the summit, regional leaders are expected to adopt an Action Plan. This plan aims to revitalize the PSC Framework, which was formally adopted and signed in February 2013.
The ROM serves as the primary decision-making body of the PSC Framework and meets annually to assess the implementation of these commitments.
The PSC Framework itself is an initiative designed to address the structural causes of instability and recurring conflict cycles in eastern DRC and the Great Lakes region. It outlines a set of commitments divided among the DRC, neighboring countries, and regional and international actors.
During the summit, regional leaders will also reflect on the current deadly conflict in Sudan and the concerning political situation in South Sudan.
Officials from the South Sudan and Sudan governments are in attendance. The South African government, a signatory to the frameworks, is represented by Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Ronald Lamola.