The International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR) has resolved that the Summit will be held every two years on 15th December and that Uganda takes over the chairmanship of the ICGLR in 2011.
The Presidents attending the ICGLR have also affirmed that the Pact on security, stability and development are frameworks of ensuring sustainable peace, durable political stability, reconstruction and development in the region.
Zambian Foreign Affairs Minister Kabinga Pande, who read the Lusaka Communiqué on behalf of the ICGLR advised that a summit be convened by the Democratic Republic of Congo, as soon as possible.
He said that the agenda of the proposed summit would include discussion of a comprehensive report by DRC Facilitators, who are former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo and his Tanzanian counterpart Benjamin Mkapa, on the joint military operations against the LRA by the Central African Republic, Sudan and Uganda.
Mr. Pande, who is also ICGLR Regional Inter-Ministerial Committee Chairperson, appreciated the positive role and continued efforts DRC Facilitators were implementing in the peace process in DRC
The Minister further welcomed with satisfaction the positive developments that have taken place to restore political stability in Burundi.
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The Third ICGLR ended in Lusaka yesterday and Zambia has taken over the chairmanship of the GLR from Kenya.
Meanwhile, Republican President Rupiah Banda has assumed the chairmanship of the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR).
President Banda has since paid tribute to his predecessor Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki for his good leadership during his tenure of office.
The President also paid tribute to the Regional Inter-Ministerial Committee and the National Coordinators, for ensuring that all Executive decisions were in line with the pact on security, stability and development.
Mr. Banda said he is confident that the two bodies will be able to continue to provide their services to the peace process during his tenure of office as chairman.
He further urged the Conference to recognize the assistance rendered by the African Union, United Nations and the Group of Friends for the Great Lakes Region, without whose involvement a number of achievements would not have been recorded.
President Banda also reaffirmed government’s continued support to the promotion of peace, security, democracy, good governance and human rights in the Great Lakes region.
The President emphasized the need to consolidate peace and security efforts through the principles laid down in the peace pact, signed on 16th December 2006 and ratified by all member states.
President Banda was speaking at the official opening of the 3rd ordinary summit of the International Conference on Great Lakes Region (ICGLR), held at Mulungushi International Conference Centre (MICC) in Lusaka yesterday.
At the same occasion, President Banda commended presidents Paul Kagami of Rwanda and his Democratic Republic of Congo counterpart Joseph Kabila for having resolved the differences between their two countries through dialogue.
The president said this was a positive move in the attainment of peace in the region which must continue to be pursued with determination by all countries in the region.
And speaking before handing over the chairmanship to President Banda, out-going ICGLR Chairperson, Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki, noted that there is need to address the real causes of conflicts in the Great Lakes Region in an objective and honesty manner.
Mr. Kibaki noted there is chance to transform the Great Lakes Region into a region of peace, growth, and prosperity for the benefit of the people.
Meanwhile former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo has observed that the Great Lakes Region still faces profound security, humanitarian, developmental and environmental challenges.
Mr. Obasanjo urged the ICGLR member sates to quickly find solutions to consolidate peace, which is a key factor of sustainable development.
And Civil Societies Great Lakes Region Representative Mutuku Nguli said the Civil Society would continue to work closely with governments in the Great Lakes Region.
She said the Region Civil Society would strive to continue to keep the vision and objectives of peace, security, democracy and good governance. ZANIS.
I LIKE THE OBSERVATIONS MADE BY THE FORMER NIGERIAN PRESIDENT OBASANJO THAT THE GREAT LAKES REGION STILL FACES A NUMBER OF CHALLENGED SUCH AS SECURITY AND DEVELOPMENT IN GENERAL. i GUESSS THE REGION IS STILL IN A MESS ESPECIALLY THAT THE EASTERN PART OF CONGO DR IS UNDER THE CONTROL OF THE REBELS AND KABILA’S GOVT HAS FAILED TO REGAIN CONTROL OF THAT REGION. MWAI KIBAKI HAS AND OTHER CHAIRPERSONS HAVE NOT DONE ANYTHING. WOMEN IN CONGO DR ARE MORE VULNERABLE THAN A COMMON SOLDIER!!!!!!!
SORRY I MEANT CHALLENGES NOT CHALLENGED. GUESS AND NOT GUESSS.