Leaders Pledge Support for Regional Peace Initiatives

In a communique issued today at the end of the 5th Ordinary Summit of the Heads of State and Government of the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR) in Luanda, Angola, the leaders pledged their continued support for the IGAD led mediation efforts in South Sudan.

The communique was signed by Presidents Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya, Joseph Kabila of DRC, Yoweri Museveni of Uganda, Paul Kagame of Rwanda and host President Jose Eduardo Dos Santos.

The leaders denounced perpetrators of atrocities, war crimes, crimes against humanity, sexual violence and recruitment of child soldiers in South Sudan.

They also called on the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUSCO) to increase efforts aimed at ending all negative forces operations in Eastern Congo.

The Great Lake leaders urged the African Union to strengthen the International Mission for the Stabilization of Central African Republic (MISCA) by availing resources and logistical support.

The pledges for support come at a time when the three African countries, are in crisis following internal clashes causing dire humanitarian situations notably in South Sudan and Central Republic of Africa.

By Diana Kariuki