President Yoweri Museveni has condemned the practice of resorting to war to refute electoral results saying this hinders the possibility of improving the election system as most of the funds are wasted on suppressing such wars.
He said this has fueled the instability in the Democratic Republic of Congo despite solving the earlier internal disputes which were believed to be the cause and restoring democracy.
President Museveni who is also the chairperson of ICGLR challenged members to address the problems affecting the region with honesty and avoid covering up for their own weakness if a lasting solution to peace is to be found.
“Let’s not come here with dishonesty and self-defense because this would be unfair to our people,” he said.
The President who is in the Kenya Capital Nairobi was Wednesday chairing the Special Summit of the Great Lakes Region Heads of State and Government, at the United Nations headquarters in Nairobi. He used the occasion to give special recognition to South Sudan as a newest member state in the Great Lakes membership.
The Special Summit of the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR), comes at a time when there are renewed hostilities in the Democratic Republic of Congo, tension between the two Sudans over the use of oil pipeline and rebellions.
The special envoy to the United Nations Secretary General, Mary Robinson acknowledged the strong commitment of the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR) in promoting international human rights and called on member states to uphold their commitment to peace and security.
Robinson however raised concern about the continued killings of children and women by the M23 group in Eastern Congo- Goma which she said is a strong violation of international human rights that must stop.
The Commissioner for Peace and Security of the African Union, Ambassador Ramtane Lamamra commended the chairperson ICGLR President Museveni for the quality leadership and intensity in supporting the agenda of promoting and maintaining peace and security in the region.
He however called on Member states to establish regional partnerships to work towards achieving the ICGLR agenda. He also pledged African Union support towards peace efforts in the region.
Kenya’s President Uhuru Kenyatta called on member states to work hand in hand in accordance to the principles of ICGLR to address the outstanding issues. He pledged Kenya’s full commitment to efforts geared towards achieving regional peace.
“This assembly today is evident that the onus to solve regional problems is upon member states and to a achieve this we need a collective effort of all, ” he said.
He added that security is crucial owing to the undesirable effects of instability. He also raised concern about the fresh outbreaks in the region of Kivi in Kenya that called for immediate address.
Present was the Central African Republic President Michel Djotodia, the Vice President of Sudan Hajji Adam Yousef and delegates from member states among others.
Source The New Vision