Dar es Salaam. Johan Borgstam, the European Union Special Representative (EUSR) for the Great Lakes Region, is visiting Tanzania from 10th to 13th March as part of a broader mission to the region, which has also included visits to Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, DRC and Ethiopia.
Since his arrival on Monday, Mr Borgstam has engaged in high-level discussions with Minister of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation Mahmoud Thabit Kombo, East African Community (EAC) Secretary General Veronica Nduva, high-level diplomatic representatives and civil society organisations.
In Arusha, Mr Borgstam is expected to engage with the board of the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI).
A statement released Tuesday by the EU Delegation to Tanzania said the East African nation “plays a key role in supporting regional solutions for the ongoing crisis in the Great Lakes, notably eastern DRC.”
Discussions that Mr Borgstam held with high-level officials focused on the urgent need for a cease-fire and for coordinated international action to tackle the humanitarian crisis and de-escalate tensions, underscoring the EU’s recognition of the importance of regional political processes and is committed to strengthening its support for these efforts.
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Commenting on the visit, Mr Borgstam said that the EU is “deeply concerned” by the escalation of the conflict in eastern DRC, worsened by the continued offensive of the M23, which he alleges are supported by the Rwandan Armed Forces, a charge that Rwanda denies.
“We strongly condemn this violation of international norms and principles,” Mr Borgstam said. “Both sides have a shared responsibility in ensuring that human rights violations stop and to facilitate the securing of humanitarian access to distressed populations.
There is an urgent need for a cease-fire and a strengthened regional response to address the crisis. We commend the leadership of both the EAC and the SADC and expect the outcome of the joint summit held on 8 February to be implemented. Tanzania plays a crucial role in this effort, and I appreciate the constructive discussions with Tanzanian authorities.”
EU Ambassador to Tanzania and the East African Community, Christine Grau, said that Mr Borgstam’s visit to Tanzania comes at a critical time amidst the escalating crisis in eastern DRC. This visit underscores the important role Tanzania can play in addressing the crisis.
“It also highlights the EU’s ongoing commitment to peace, stability, and security in the region, while reaffirming the strong partnership and shared commitments between Tanzania and the EU,” she added.
Appointed as European Union Special Representative (EUSR) on September 1, 2024, Mr Borgstam’s mandate is to support the implementation of the renewed EU Great Lakes Strategy.
Key objectives include to contribute to peace, stability and security in the Great Lakes region, by promoting de- escalation of tensions and supporting dialogue and long-term regional solutions to crisis and conflicts, in particular in Eastern DRC; and to contribute to the regional efforts to transform the root causes of insecurity and instability into shared opportunities, unlocking the region’s full potential.
Mr Borgstam previously visited Tanzania from 16 to 18 January and held high-level discussions with the Minister of Defence, Stergomena Lawrence Tax, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Cosato David Chumi, former President Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete, as well as prominent members of the diplomatic community, academia, and civil society representatives in Tanzania.
