Final Communique Tripartite Plus Joint Commision
The Tripartite Plus Joint Commission met in Kigali, Rwanda on December 10, 2008 to review progress in eliminating the security threat posed to the Great Lakes region by continuing activity of illegal armed groups in the eastern Congo.
The Tripartite Plus Joint Commission met in Kigali, Rwanda on December 10, 2008 to review progress in eliminating the security threat posed to the Great Lakes region by continuing activity of illegal armed groups in the eastern Congo.  The Foreign Ministers of member states – the Republic of Burundi, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the Republic of Rwanda, and the Republic of Uganda – regretted the recent escalation of violence in eastern Congo and the resulting humanitarian crisis.  They welcomed the renewed dialogue, changing dynamic, and positive momentum between the Governments of the DRC and Rwanda and urged the armed groups to take steps urgently to end the violence, lay down their arms, and reintegrate or repatriate, as appropriate. 
 
They welcomed the appointments of and the work of President Obasanjo and President Mkapa as Special Envoys to the eastern DRC and pledged to cooperate with them to realize the common goal of peace in the region.  The European Union, the African Union, Union Nations Mission to the Congo (MONUC), and the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR) attended the meeting as observers.

The Ministers of the Member States of the Joint Commission:

  • Urged all parties to cooperate with the International Facilitators President Obasanjo and President Mkapa in seeking a peaceful solution through political means to resolve conflict in eastern Congo;
  • Endorsed the December 5 Joint Communiqué between the Governments of the DRC and Rwanda adopting a common military strategy to end the FDLR/Ex-FAR/Interahamwe threat and a commitment from the Government of the DRC to re-establish diplomatic relations with Rwanda, Burundi, and Uganda during the first quarter of 2009;
  • Endorsed direct talks between the Government of the DRC and CNDP under the Amani Program and called on all parties to the Goma Process to abide by the ceasefire, establish zones of separation; and begin disarmament, demobilization and reintegration;
  • Endorsed MONUC’s enlargement and said that MONUC’s mandate should be strengthened to support the bilateral and Tripartite Plus engagement in disarming the negative forces in the DRC;
  • Called for urgent implementation of UNSCR 1804 (2008) authorizing travel and financial sanctions on FDLR leaders and urged quick and full implementation of all its provisions by all concerned;
  • Welcomed the December 4 agreement advancing the peace process between the Government of Burundi and the FNL and urged the region and the international community to support the deadlines for implementation;
  • Noted that the LRA had failed to sign the final peace agreement with the Ugandan government and called for increased diplomatic and military pressure to be exerted;
  • Agreed to strengthen the joint planning process;
  • Called for the UN Security Council to pass a resolution imposing travel and financial sanctions on leaders of the LRA and ADF/NALU, similar to UNSCR 1804 (2008) on the FDLR;
  • Supported the establishment of a Tripartite Plus working group or similar organization to consider security and economic measures aimed at curbing the negative forces and other illegal networks from their ability to finance their violent activities.  These measures may include eliminating their illegal domination of mines and natural resources; stopping illegal taxation; stopping the illegal appointment of local leadership and customs checkpoints; and control of population centers and other criminal activities like rape, murder, extortion and looting.  This process will include encouraging legal economic activity.
  • Welcomed the regional economic group the Economic Community of Great Lakes Nations (CEPGL) as an observer to the Tripartite Plus Joint Commission.
The Joint Commission Ministers decided to meet again in the DRC to assess progress on agreed actions.