GREAT LAKES REGION URGED TO END INSECURITY AND CONFLICT

Vice President Mutale Nalumango has urged countries in the Great Lakes Region to take urgent, collective action to end insecurity and armed conflict, particularly in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

Speaking at the official opening of the Extraordinary Meeting of the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR) for Defence Ministers in Livingstone, Ms Nalumango highlighted that the suffering of civilians in eastern DRC threatens the stability of the entire region and cannot be ignored.

She emphasized that the conflict in eastern DRC is not confined to one country, adding that it requires African-led solutions supported by complementary external assistance.

“African problems require African solutions,” she said, noting that peace initiatives such as the Washington Accord and the Doha Peace Framework should reinforce, rather than replace, regional efforts. She also reminded Defence Ministers that the ultimate goal of security forces is peace, not war.

Meanwhile, Mubita Luwabelwa, Executive Secretary of the ICGLR, called for urgent action to strengthen regional security mechanisms to address ongoing conflicts.

The meeting brings together Defence Ministers and military experts from ICGLR member states to reinforce regional cooperation and promote peace and stability across the Great Lakes Region.