The ninth summit of the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region concluded in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, issuing a final communiqué that included a clear recommendation to the UN Security Council to condemn the RSF militia.
The Sudanese delegation was headed by Sovereignty Council member and Assistant Commander-in-Chief Lt. Gen. Engineer Ibrahim Jaber Ibrahim, accompanied by several government officials and security leaders.
The final statement addressed issues of security and defense within the Great Lakes framework, along with matters concerning women, children, social development, and safeguarding mineral resources in member states from exploitation or use in funding rebel groups and militias.
According to Foreign Ministry Undersecretary Ambassador Muawiya Osman Khalid, the summit approved recommendations from the ministerial council and defense and security committees, all calling for the RSF to be designated a terrorist organization.
He added that the summit instructed the executive secretariat to mobilize efforts in the UN Security Council and the African Union to condemn the atrocities committed by the RSF against civilians, stressing the necessity of holding the group accountable.
The summit also set guidelines on the use of precious minerals— including gold in Sudan— to prevent their exploitation in funding the RSF.
Lt. Gen. Ibrahim Jaber delivered Sudan’s address during the closed session, detailing the nature of the conflict, documenting RSF violations, and outlining recent developments following the RSF assault on El-Fasher.
He reaffirmed Sudan’s appreciation for the supportive positions expressed by Great Lakes countries and welcomed the constructive steps taken by the summit toward achieving peace, security, and stability in Sudan.
He also reiterated Sudan’s commitment to collective action and unified positions to confront external interference in the internal affairs of member states.
