STATEMENT BY H.E. JAKAYA MRISHO KIKWETE, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED REPUBLIC OF TANZANIA AT THE SIGNING CEREMONY OF THE PEACE, SECURITY AND COOPERATION FRAMEWORK FOR THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO (DRC) AND THE REGION, 24TH FEBRUARY 2013, ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA.

H.E PRESIDENT JAKAYA KIKWETE

Your Excellency Haillemariam Desalegn, Prime Minister of the Federal Democratic Republic Ethiopia and Chairperson of the African Union;
Excellencies Heads of State and Government;
Your Excellency Ban Ki-moon, Secretary General of the United Nations;
Your Excellency Dr. Nkosazan Dlamin Zuma, Chairperson of the African Union Commission;
Invited Guests;
Ladies and Gentlemen.
This is a very auspicious and historic day for the people of the Democratic Republic of Congo, her neighbours and the entire Great Lakes Region. It is a momentous day for the Southern African Development Community (SADC), Africa, the African Union, United Nations and the entire international community.
  The people of the DRC have suffered for too long. They deserve a break. They deserve to live a better life; a life where their safety and security is assured and guaranteed; a life where they pre-occupy themselves with more important things for improving their living conditions. 
The signatures we have just appended to the Framework is a solemn undertaking and commitment to deliver on the aspirations of the people of DRC and the Great Lakes Region for peace, security, stability and cooperation.
On behalf of the Government and people of the United Republic of Tanzania I promise that we will play our part accordingly.
        In conclusion, I commend the Secretary General of the United Nations, H.E. Ban Ki-Moon for this great initiative. I thank the AU Commission Chairperson, H.E. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma for the Leadership which made this event possible. 
        Last but not least, I thank the Prime Minister of Ethiopia and Chairperson of the African Union, H.E. Hailemariam Desalegn for his wise leadership and warm reception and gracious hospitality accorded to us.

I thank you for your kind attention.