Final Statement of the Ninth Great Lakes Summit Recommends Security Council Condemn Rapid Support Forces Militia

The Ninth Summit of Heads of State of the Great Lakes Region concluded in Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo, issuing its final statement. The statement included a clear recommendation to the UN Security Council calling for the condemnation of the Rapid Support Forces militia.

The Sudanese delegation to the summit was headed by Lieutenant General Ibrahim Jaber Ibrahim, Assistant Commander-in-Chief and member of the Transitional Sovereignty Council, and included several government officials and security leaders.

The summit issued its final statement, which addressed security and defense issues within the Great Lakes region, as well as issues related to women, children, and social development. It also discussed ways to protect mineral resources in member states from exploitation and use to finance and support militias and rebel movements operating in the region.

For his part, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Muawiya Othman Khalid, said that the Ninth Summit had endorsed the recommendations submitted by the Organization’s Ministerial Council and the recommendations of the Ministers of Defense and Security Agencies, all of which called for the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) to be designated a terrorist organization.

Ambassador Muawiya stated that the Summit took note of the Ministerial Council’s recommendations and directed the Executive Secretariat to mobilize efforts within the UN Security Council and the African Union to condemn the horrific atrocities committed by the RSF against civilians. He added that the Summit also stressed the need to hold these terrorist groups accountable.

The Undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs indicated that the Summit established regulations governing the use of precious metals in member states, including gold in Sudan, to ensure that gold mining is not exploited for the benefit of the terrorist RSF militia.

Member of the Sovereignty Council

Lieutenant General Ibrahim Jaber, , delivered Sudan’s address to the closed session of the Summit. This address included a detailed classification of the conflict in Sudan, reflected the damage and violations committed by the RSF against civilians, and addressed the recent developments following the RSF’s attack on El Fasher.

He expressed Sudan’s appreciation for the positive and distinguished stances of the Great Lakes Region countries regarding the current situation in the country, praising the organization’s understanding of the dimensions related to the schemes targeting Sudan’s resources and its people. He also noted Sudan’s welcome of the positive steps taken by the summit to achieve security, peace, and stability in the country.

Lieutenant General Ibrahim Jaber reiterated Sudan’s emphasis on the importance of concerted efforts and coordinated collective positions to confront foreign interference in the internal affairs of the region’s member states.