Luanda - Members countries of the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLC) strongly urged the government of Burundi and all stakeholders to continue to work towards the restoration of a peaceful and secure environment in the country in order to encourage the speedy return of refugees, according to the final declaration of the heads of state summit that was held today in Luanda.
“We should by all means intensify the dialogue for peace in Burundi in order to overcome the impasse created by the post-electoral conflict, and respect the legally established power,” Angolan President Jose Eduardo dos Santos told summit participants. “It is also important to promote good neighborliness and mutual security along the common border between Burundi and the neighboring countries,” Dos Santos said. He encouraged the government of Burundi to pursue its allegations against Rwanda through existing diplomatic and bilateral channels.
The summit also urged the international community to extend much-needed financial support to the government of Burundi, and humanitarian assistance to Burundian refugees and those who have been displaced as a result of this crisis.
The Conference welcomed the assumption of the East Africa Cooperation Mediation under President Yoweri Museveni and through the facilitation of Benjamin Mkapa, the former president of Tanzania. “I have been informed that the facilitator will meet with the EAC Mediator this week and submit his report and discuss the way forward,” Dos Santos told participants. Tanzanian Minister of Foreign Affairs Augustine Mahiga represented President John Magufuli who stayed home.
“Tanzania would like to request all ICGLR member states to support the EAC initiative in the search for durable peace and stability in Burundi. We hope former President Mkapa will be able to share some good news on Burundi in our next Summit,” Mahiga said.
The summit also reviewed the situation in South Sudan and the political crisis in the Democratic Republic of Congo. There was not clearly articulated position on the general elections that should be held this year according to the constitution, which is concerning the West.
“We are told that the government of the DRC is committing funds to hold the elections”, said Jeanne Hruska, Senior Advisor at the office of the US Special Envoy for the Great Lakes, who also attended the meeting.
South Africa´s President Jacob Zuma, who had a separate audience with dos Santos on bilateral issues, attended the meeting as an observer.
“We are invited as an observer” South African government Spokesperson Bongani Majola said, “We cannot comment on the positions the member countries have adopted at the end of this summit in Luanda.”
Congolese President Denis Sassou Nguessou, DRC President Joseph kabila, Kenya´s President Uhuru Kenyatta, and Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni participated in the meeting. The remaining member countries were represented by vice presidents, foreign affairs ministers and local ambassadors.
Foreign Service