NAIROBI, KENYA: Deputy President William Ruto has challenged leaders to focus more on peace, security and efforts aimed at attaining stability in the Great Lakes Region.
Kenya’s deputy President William Ruto
The Deputy President said it is time leaders commit themselves in the search for peace and stability in the area to accelerate development.
He pointed out that it is the leaders’ responsibility to turn things around and give hope to the aspirations of the people to live in peace, security and prosperity.
“As the current generation of leaders of the region it is our responsibility with the help of others but primarily ours, to turn the things around, to give hope to the aspirations of our people to live in peace, security and prosperity,’’ said Mr. Ruto.
The Deputy President made the remarks on Monday when he officially opened the regional inter-ministerial committee meeting of the international conference on the Great Lakes Region in Nairobi.
He said that the region’s economic development had been compromised by incessant conflicts that have run for over a half a century.
‘’There is absolutely no reason why half a century later we still wallow in abject poverty, insecurity and instability. Half a century later we are still running away from our homes for fear of persecution, of death and of violence including gender based violence.
He asked the leaders to seize every opportunity to address the vicious cycle of violence that has stifled progress and afflicted many for years.
Mr. Ruto noted that achieving lasting peace may not happen overnight but the leaders should take hold of every opportunity at their disposal to make positive and forward moving measurable steps.
‘’As leaders, it should simply not be acceptable anymore to see this and not take full responsibility’’, he said.
The Deputy President told the meeting to come up with recommendations that are specific, timely and with actionable plans to prove that the region has the requisite capacity to effectively address challenges facing it.
Among those who addressed the meeting were; Mary Robinson Special Representative of the UN Secretary General for the Great Lakes Region, Ambassador Aboubacar Diarra Special Representative of the African Union ,Foreign affairs Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohammed among others.
