GREAT LAKES BODY JOINS FRAY FOR DRC PEACE

 

BY GRACE MACHA IN ARUSHA

The International Conference of the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR) has joined the fray for peace in eastern DR Congo.

It has committed itself to work hand- in-glove with the East African Community (EAC) to end bloodshed in the area.

This followed a recent meeting in Addis Ababa between ICGLR executive secretary Amb Joao Caholo during a mini-summit  on the eastern DRC crisis by leaders from the region.

The two CEOs deliberated on areas of cooperation between the two institutions in supporting the restoration of peace and security in the restive region.

This will be done  by partnering and availing necessary support to each other, in the quest for stopping violence pitting various rebel groups and the government.

"EAC and ICGLR institutions have complementary roles to play in ensuring a sustainable solution to security challenges in eastern DRC are resolved", said a statement from the EAC secretariat.

EAC secretary general Peter Mathuki said peace was a prerogative of economic development and can be realized if there was stability.

“The gains of regional integration such as economic development can only be realized when the region is peaceful", he emphasized during the summit.

He implored on the two regional bodies and member countries in the vast region to play their rightful roles in the endeavour.

On his part, Amb Caholo noted that everlasting peace in the troubled region would be " a win for the continent and globe at large".

He reiterated his commitment to supporting the quest for peace in eastern DRC,saying ICGLR was established for the purpose.

The meeting was held on the sidelines of the recent 43rd Ordinary Meeting of EAC Council of Ministers in Bujumbura, Burundi.

Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for the EAC, Arid and Semi Arid Lands and Regional Development Rebecca Miano commending the collaboration.

ICGLR is an intergovernmental organization of the countries in the African Great Lakes Region, a focus of which is jointly combating transnational crime and terrorism at a regional level.

The approach used by the Bujumbura-based organization  has been to counter terrorism and transnational crime more broadly and associated issues.

Besides, terrorism and bloody conflicts in the region, ICGLR mandate includes improving national and regional cooperation and capacity building aimed to enhance security and technological integration.

Members of the organizations are Tanzania, Angola, Burundi, Central African Republic CAR), Congo Brazzaville, DRC,  Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, South Sudan, Sudan and Zambia.