Regional Conference pushes for implementation of security pact

RWAMAGANA - Countries should fully implement the Nairobi peace pact, national leaders under the International Conference on Great Lakes Region (ICGRL), said last week. At one-day conference that attracted the army, police, religious leaders and NGOs representatives, participants examined the implementation of the existing peace agreements in the region. According to the participants, all regional countries should work to end the war in Congo because it affects all neighboring countries. Joseph Kabakyezi, the national coordinator said that after the Nairobi declaration, it was time to implement. “The good political will shown by member states is a green light for us to kick-start.” The participants however, wondered why some countries were reluctant to implement the resolutions contained in the pact. Pastor Constantine Gasore, of the Restoration Church asked why some countries continued to harbor Rwandan militias. “There is a big irony in the pact,” Gasore said. Citing the improved ties between DRC and Rwanda, Kabakyezi told participants that the political will is “generally satisfying”. “Let this be clear, we are not a punitive organ, ours is dialogue. But I can assure you that member states and other countries, have realised the importance of political dialogue as a means to end conflict,” he said. ICGLR, whose secretariat is based in the Burundian capital Bujumbura, is composed of 11 countries, including Sudan, DRC, Congo- Brazzaville and Angola and the five East African countries. Of all the member states, it is only Angola that has not ratified the pact because of language issue. According to officials, the country wants the pact written in Portuguese, its official language,. Ends