The meeting expects to deliberate on the report of the joint meeting of the Defense Forces chiefs on a ceasefire and the cessation of hostilities, as well as the establishment of a technical coordination mechanism at the secretariat level to oversee its implementation.

The reopening of the Goma airport in North Kivu province and the leading land and lake supply routes for delivering humanitarian aid are among other actions to be addressed.

Also included are merging the Nairobi and Luanda processes for their strengthening and complementarity, and appointing three new conflict mediators.

The EAC and SADC meeting noted that the parties in conflict, including the March 23 Movement (M23) rebels, should return to the negotiating table, which could be agreed on, if the DRC Government and the armed group meet.

jrr/iff/npg/kmg