Deputy President William Ruto has said Africa has the capacity to determine its own destiny.
The Deputy President said interventions by the Africa Union in conflicts around the continent clearly indicate that the continent has the ability to provide home grown solutions to the problems facing it.
The Deputy President spoke Wednesday when he represented President Uhuru Kenyatta at the United Nations Great Lakes Peace, Security and Cooperation Summit being held in Luanda, Angola.
The Deputy President called for reforms at the United Nations Security Council to give Africa more representation in it.
“Majority of the decisions of the UN are about Africa and it will only make sense if Africa is given more say to make decisions on the same” Said the Deputy President.
On peace and security in the Great Lakes region, the Deputy President urged all partners to remain committed to attaining the benchmarks set towards the realization of long-term stability and development in the great lakes region.
“While there has been significant progress in the implementation of the commitments under the PSC Framework, the current peace and security situation in the region requires our unwavering support and attention,” said the Deputy President.
The Deputy President singled out security and political tensions in DR Congo, South Sudan and Burundi which he said require urgent attention from the global community.
“The recent movement of South Sudan fighters to DRC territory, albeit on humanitarian grounds, clearly complicates the already unstable situation in eastern DRC and presents a challenge that the region and the international community should address immediately,” said the Deputy President.
He expressed hope that a conducive environment will be created for the South Sudanese soldiers to return home and help in building their nation.
On Burundi, the Deputy President said Kenya supports the East Africa Community led inter-Burundi dialogue and urged all parties involved in the conflict to demonstrate commitment to the dialogue process.
He expressed concern on the continued atrocities perpetrated in Eastern DRC, saying the existence of negative forces in the area continue to pose great threat to peace and stability in the region.
“There is an urgent need to decisively deal with such negative forces if peace and stability in the region is to be achieved,” he said.
He at the same time commended the Government of DR Congo and the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUSCO) for the resumption of cooperation in the fight against FDLR and ADF.
“In an age of ever rising terrorism threats, the region needs to guard against the utilization of such groups by global terror networks to perpetuate their hate agenda in the region,” said the Deputy President.
Angolan President Jose Eduardo Dos Santos who official opened the meeting, commended the DRC Government and a group of opposition parties for signing an agreement to create a national unity government.
He said the creation of a government of national unity and transition would allow the end of aclimate of contestation and destabilization thereby preserving peace and stability which are key to a normal functioning of the country and its institutions.
He said this would make it possible for all political actors to carry out serious, honest and credible electoral process in the country.
United Nations special envoy to the Great Lakes, Said Djinith who spoke on behalf of the Secretary General Ban Ki Moon, expressed hope that the summit will energize the process of implementing Peace, Security and Cooperation Framework for Democratic Republic of Congo and the Great lakes region.
He condemned the atrocities committed by negative forces especially M23 saying they are regrettable and urged leaders to discuss ways of eradicating these negative forces.
He also called on leaders at the summit to look for sustainable solutions aimed at bringing peace and security to the region adding that the United Nations remains committed to the cause of peace within the Great Lakes region.
By DPPS.