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KING, ZUMA TO CHOOSE ENVOY FOR DRC CRISIS

21/08/2017 01:26:00 By King’s Office Correspondent

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His Majesty signs one of three Protocols signed by SADC leaders at the close of the 37th Summit yesterday. (Pics Len Mohale)

PRETORIA, SOUTH AFRICA – His Majesty may have handed over the SADC Chairmanship to South Africa but he has one important task to do.

He has been tasked, together with President Jacob Zuma, to find a special envoy to be sent to the Democratic Republic of Congo in light of the current political and security situation as violence has escalated.
This was announced at the closing ceremony of the 37th Ordinary Summit of Heads of State and government that was held in Pretoria over the weekend.

There is uncertainty over elections after President Joseph Kabila has ended his second term with no clear indication if he is ready to hand over power. The summit noted that the security challenges have made it unrealistic for the DRC to hold elections by December 2017 as originally planned.
The DRC’s Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI) was urged to publicise the revised electoral calendar in consultation with the government and the national council for monitoring the implementation of the agreement (CSNA) of December 31, 2016.

The summit called upon the international community and all stakeholders to continue supporting the implementation of the December 31, 2016 Agreement and respecting the wishes of the Congolese people with a view to ensuring the sustainable peace, security and stability of the DRC.

The summit also called upon all stakeholders to refrain from actions that would undermine the political and security stability with regard to developments which led to the escalation of violence and insecurity in the Kasai Provinces.
Despite these developments, the summit commended president Joseph Kabila, the government and other stakeholders for the progress made in implementing provisions of the December 31, 2016 Peace Agreement.
His Majesty and Zuma are expected to consult then meet and decide on the special envoy who is to be at the level of a former head of State.

Meanwhile, the leaders praised Lesotho for committing to implementing the recommendations of SADC aimed at bringing about lasting peace in the kingdom.