Democratic Republic of the Congo Europe

Eastern DRC crisis: EU Special Representative for the Great Lakes Region visits Uganda

BRUSSELS, 20 Febuary 2025 / PRN Africa / -- The European Union Special Representative (EUSR) for the Great Lakes Region, Mr. Johan Borgstam, visited Uganda from 16th February to 19th February as part of a broader mission to the region.

The European Union Special Representative (EUSR) for the Great Lakes Region, Mr. Johan Borgstam, visited Uganda from 16th February to 19th February as part of a broader mission to the region. The European Union views regional political processes as indispensable in addressing the escalating crisis in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and attaches great importance to the central role of Uganda.

On his second official visit to Uganda, EUSR Borgstam held high-level discussions with President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni along with other Ugandan authorities, and the diplomatic community in the aftermath to the EAC/SADC summit 7-8 February and the African Union Summit 15-16 February.

EUSR Borgstam also engaged with civil society organisations and humanitarian actors and discussed how the crisis in eastern DRC affects border districts in Uganda, including in terms of refugees influx and violent extremism.

Reflecting on his visit, EUSR Borgstam underlined: “The EU is deeply concerned about the escalation of the conflict in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, aggravated by the renewed offensive of the M23 supported by the Rwandan Armed Forces. We strongly condemn this breach of international norms and principles. We welcome the outcome of the joint EAC/SADC summit and hope that it can lead to a rapid cessation of hostilities and to the relaunch of inclusive African-led efforts to reach a peaceful resolution to the conflict. Uganda plays a central role in this important work. For me it is therefore crucial to engage directly with Ugandan authorities and I look forward to continue our discussions on these important matters. The EU continues to actively support regional efforts for stability and peace in the Great Lakes region.”

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SOURCE European External Action