Sata seeks DRC peace

PRESIDENT Sata says Zambia is hopeful of a peaceful resolution of the conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) through the Technical Support Committee which has outlined benchmarks for the peace process.
Mr Sata said this through Foreign Affairs Minister Wylbur Simuusa at a meeting on the DRC conflict on the margins of the 68th United Nations General Assembly here.
The technical committee, made up of 10 heads of State including Mr Sata, has been working on resolving fighting in the eastern DRC. The committee is under the guidance of Mary Robinson, the former President of Ireland and special envoy of the United Nations Secretary-General to the Great Lakes region.
“The technical support committee has done a commendable job by proposing the relevant benchmarks, with specific timelines for the authorities to undertake commitments.
It is my Government’s belief that the proposed benchmarks, if supported by a deliberate common programme of development, will go a long way towards making a positive impact on  the current insecurity situation in the eastern part of the DRC and the region as a whole,” the President said.
He also said ministers of finance are expected to conclude the prioritisation and allocation of resources to commence the development programme as soon as possible.
“The problems of insecurity in the DRC have gone on for far too long with its ugly consequences of death, destruction and displacement of the population. It is, therefore, high time that a comprehensive approach, now to be implemented, should bring about lasting peace and security to the DRC,” Mr Sata said.