Kenya has reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to fostering sustainable peace, security, and development across the Great Lakes Region, underscoring the necessity of collective efforts by all Member States of the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR).
Speaking during the 18th Ordinary Session of the ICGLR Inter-Ministerial Committee in Luanda, Angola, Kenya’s Prime Cabinet Secretary and Foreign Affairs Minister, Hon. Musalia Mudavadi, called for unified support to restore peace in conflict-prone areas, including Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the Central African Republic, and Sudan.
Mudavadi emphasized that the region’s vast natural resources and human capital should inspire stakeholders to promote stability and development for mutual economic prosperity. “The ICGLR’s establishment recognized that political instability and conflicts in the Great Lakes Region can only be resolved through interstate relations based on trust, sovereignty, and non-aggression,” he stated.
Mudavadi commended ongoing peace initiatives such as the Quadripartite Summit, the Regional Oversight Mechanism Summit, and efforts led by the East African Community (EAC) and Angola’s Luanda process. These initiatives have played a crucial role in advancing peace and security, particularly in Eastern DRC.
“These forums have underlined the need for harmonizing various peace initiatives for coherence and unity of purpose. I sincerely hope that these efforts will collectively steer us towards our common goal,” he said.
Mudavadi also expressed concern over intensified regional conflicts, violent extremism, and humanitarian crises, which have devastated millions of lives. He called on ICGLR members to work together to restore hope for vulnerable populations.
Kenya presented strategic proposals to enhance ICGLR’s responsiveness to emerging challenges. Among them was a call for the ICGLR Summit to convene annually instead of biannually. Mudavadi argued that more frequent meetings would enable timely updates to security frameworks, development strategies, and conflict resolution mechanisms.
Another major proposal was the establishment of a Permanent Representatives Committee of Ambassadors (PRC) in Bujumbura, Burundi. This committee, composed of ICGLR member states’ diplomatic representatives, would supplement the National Coordination Mechanism’s work and ensure swift responses to regional peace and security concerns.
“These representatives, accredited to the ICGLR, will facilitate more regular and efficient engagements, even at short notice,” Mudavadi noted.
Kenya also highlighted its commitment to amplifying youth voices by hosting the Regional Youth Forum and officially launching the ICGLR Youth Forum Secretariat. Mudavadi acknowledged the importance of engaging young people in addressing regional challenges.
He welcomed the ongoing implementation of the Early Warning and Early Response Systems and the Gender-Responsive Mediation Coordination Mechanism (GMCM), calling for collective policy and financial support from member states to ensure their success.
Mudavadi reiterated Kenya’s dedication to ICGLR’s objectives and urged member states to collaborate on policy and financial fronts to build a more stable and prosperous region. “We need to work together to assure suffering children, mothers, and fathers that we are committed to their prospects for a better tomorrow,” he affirmed.
The meeting, chaired by Angola’s Minister of External Relations, Hon. Tete Antonio, brought together over 10 foreign ministers from the Great Lakes Region. Kenya’s delegation included Ambassador to Angola Amb. Joyce Mmmaitsi, Ambassador to Burundi Amb. Daniel Wambura, and Kenya’s National Coordinator for EAC and ICGLR, Mr. James Kiiru.
Kenya’s proposals and contributions at the meeting reaffirm its leadership role in championing peace, security, and development within the Great Lakes Region.