The 6th Ordinary Summit of Heads of State and Government of the International Conference of Great Lakes’ Region (ICGLR) has ended in Luanda, Angola with the leaders reiterating their commitment to finding a lasting solution to peace and security in the region.
The Summit, chaired by Angolan President, Mr. Eduardo dos Santos was attended by President Yoweri Museveni, among other Heads State.
The ICGLR summit recommended that Burundi and Rwanda engage in open and frank dialogue to resolve any grievances they could be having before welcoming the resumption of the Inter-Burundi dialogue in Arusha, Tanzania and encouraged all political stakeholders in Burundi to commit to the process.
Uganda, alongside Tanzania and the Republic of Congo were congratulated and commended for holding peaceful, fair and transparent general elections. President Museveni in February was declared winner of the Presidential election with over 60% of the vote.
On the Democratic Republic of Congo, the ICGLR Summit tasked its government to collaborate with FARDC and MONUSCO to strive to neutralize the rebel group ADF, FDLR and other local negative forces. The meeting also pledged support in the fight against terrorism in the Region.
“We pledge to support the agreement of the Heads of State of DRC, Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania to formulate a joint follow-up mechanism to address the growing menace of the radical terrorist group ADF,” read the joint communiqué issued at the end of the conference and signed by the 12 member states.
The Summit also congratulated President Faustin Archange Touadera of the Central Africa Republic upon his election and for quickly forming government to better the nation that has been at war.
On the Republic of South Sudan, the meeting welcomed the recent formation of a transition government of national unity, while asking the international community to support the infant state.
In addition, the Regional Heads of State recommended that the existing stable bilateral relations between the Republic of Sudan and the Republic of South Sudan should be sustained to achieve further mutual political stability and development between the two nations.
Ambassador Zachary Muburi-Muita of Kenya was appointed the new Executive Secretary of the ICGLR, replacing Prof Ntumba Luaba.