Rwanda will host the annual general assemply of the Economic Community of the Great Lakes Countries (CEPGL), scheduled for February 2010. The bloc comprises Rwanda, Burundi and the Democratice Republic of Congo (DRC). Belgium is expected to attend.

This was revealed by the President of the Senate, Vicent Biruta,  upon his return from Brussels, Belgium where he attended the EU-Africa Partnership for Development and Security conference.

According to the Parliamentary Director General of Communication and Outreach; Augustin Habimana, the meeting brought together Belgium’s President of the House of Representatives; André Flahaut, Rwanda’s President of the Senate; Biruta, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) Speaker of Parliament; Evariste Boshab and Burundi’s Pie Ntavyohanyuma.

Biruta also met and held discussions with Rwandans living in Belgium where he updated them on the general situation in Rwanda as regards to security, infrastructure, economic situation since Rwanda joined the East African Community (EAC) and the recent Presidential elections.

Biruta also updated the Rwandans in Belgium about the contents of the draft report of the United Nations (UN) on the alleged crimes committed by Rwanda Defense Forces (RDF) in the DRC.

CEPGL is a sub-regional organization that aims at ensuring the safety of member states, promoting development and trade, as well as regional economic cooperation and integration.

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