THE PAN-AFRICAN PARLIAMENT,
CONSIDERING Article 17 of the Constitutive Act of the African Union establishing the Pan-African Parliament (PAP) with a view to ensuring the "full participation of the African peoples in the economic development and integration of the continent";
CONSIDERING ALSO Article 3 of the Protocol to the Treaty establishing the African Economic Community relating to the Pan-African Parliament and Article 4 (a) of the Rules of Procedure of the Pan-African Parliament which empower PAP to facilitate regional cooperation, development and the promotion of "collective self-reliance and economic recovery" as well as the implementation of the policies, objectives and programmes" of the African Union;
CONSIDERING that one of the objectives of the Pan-African Parliament is to promote peace, security and stability with a view to contributing to a more prosperous future for the peoples of Africa;
DEEPLY CONCERNED by the current situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo, marked by the continuing attacks and atrocities perpetrated by the rebels of the M23 group in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo;
EXPRESSING its sincere solidarity with the Congolese people, who have been subjected to this violence on a daily basis for more than thirty years;
FURTHER REAFFIRMING respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Democratic Republic of Congo, in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations and the Constitutive Act of the African Union
CONVINCED that violence has never been the appropriate way to settle disputes, and that the Pan-African Parliament remains firmly committed to supporting all efforts to achieve a just and lasting peace in the Democratic Republic of Congo;
IN COMPLIANCE with the provisions of Article 5 (b), (c) and (d) of the Rules of Procedure of the Pan-African Parliament, which empower the PAP, inter alia, to organize debates, discuss, express opinions, make recommendations and pass resolutions on the objectives and all matters relating to the African Union and its organs, the Regional Economic Communities, Member States and their organs and institutions;
- FIRMLY CONDEMNS the armed attacks carried out by the M23 rebels in the eastern region of the Democratic Republic of Congo, which have resulted in the loss of many human lives, the rape of children and women, summary executions, the eradication of entire villages, the forced displacement of thousands of families and the destruction of social, health and educational infrastructures ;
- EXPRESSES its deepest concern at the deteriorating security situation, human suffering and serious violations of the fundamental rights of innocent civilians who are victims of these conflicts;
- SUPPORTS the efforts of the African Union, through the Peace and Security Council of the African Union, as well as those of the East African Community and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) for the cessation of hostilities and the implementation of the ceasefire.
- URGES the international community, in particular the African Union and the regional economic communities, to redouble their efforts to support the restoration of peace, security and stability in the hard-hit eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo;
- CALLS for urgent diplomatic intervention to put an end to the atrocious and unjustified attacks against civilian populations, which constitute serious and flagrant violations of human rights and international humanitarian law, as well as of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Democratic Republic of Congo;
- ALSO CALLS UPON all parties involved to respect the peace and ceasefire agreements that have been signed, and to work towards resolving the conflict through dialogue in order to guarantee the protection of civilians in the regions exposed to these attacks
- URGES the Congolese Government and people to refrain from violence in resolving their differences and making any demands.
Initiated by Hon. Felix MPOZERENIGA
Chairperson of the Central Africa Caucus
Supported by Hon. Djidda MAMAR MAHAMAT
Member of the Central Africa Caucus
Midrand, Republic of South Africa,
This 24th February 2025
