African leaders, diplomats, and activists signed a declaration urging the immediate withdrawal of foreign troops from Congolese soil.

The declaration, announced at a regional summit, signals more than just words on paper. Leaders insist it marks a serious political commitment to defend the DRC’s territorial integrity, a principle rooted in international law and recently reinforced by United Nations (UN) Security Council Resolution 2773.

The resolution, passed earlier this year, demands that all foreign forces leave the DRC unconditionally and under verifiable terms. Its adoption has added weight to African-led efforts to shield the continent from external interference.

Speaking during the summit, broadcaster Onele Nosizwe captured the spirit of the moment; "For us, the urgency of this initiative is not theoretical. It is human. We sign this declaration of principles, not as a symbolic gesture but as a political commitment. The reaffirmation of principles are enshrined in international law and most recently, echoed in the UN Security Council resolution 2773. It's a resolution calling for the immediate, unconditional and verifiable withdrawal of all foreign troops from sovereign territory of the DRC."

Organisers say the declaration will now form part of broader lobbying efforts at the African Union and the UN in the months ahead, as calls grow louder for respect of Africa’s borders and self-determination.

--ChannelAfrica--