United Nations Photo

Eleven countries signed the Peace, Security and Cooperation Framework for the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and the region, under the auspices of the guarantors of the Framework, namely the Secretary-General of the United Nations, the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, the Chairperson of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the Chairperson of the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region.

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon (top, centre) addresses leaders gathered for the signing of the Framework. He is flanked by Hailemariam Desalegn (left), Prime Minister of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia; and Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, Chairperson of the African Union Commission. Also pictured (foreground, from left): Joseph Kabila Kabange (left), President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo; Denis Sassou Nguesso, President of the Republic of the Congo; Paul Kagame, President of the Republic of Rwanda; Armando Emílio Guebuza, President of the Republic of Mozambique.