ICGLR seeks common stand against Rwandan rebels

Ministers from member states of the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR), underscored the need for a common position in dealing with negative forces like the FDLR. The FDLR is a French acronym for Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), a terrorist outfit that operates from the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The ministers made the resolution, on Friday, during a two-day ICGLR ministerial meeting in Brazzaville, Republic of Congo. The Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign affairs, Mary Baine, represented Rwanda at the meeting. “The meeting commended bilateral and regional initiatives aimed at dealing with the negative forces particularly FDLR and LRA (Lords Resistance Movement) of Uganda and encouraged member states to intensify efforts and adopt a common approach,” reads a communiqué from the meeting. To this end, the ministers directed the ICGLR secretariat to work with member states in organising a meeting of security organs that will include ministers of defence and security from Rwanda, Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Sudan and Uganda. On Genocide fugitives, the ministers urged member states to cooperate in tracking down suspects who have taken refuge in the region. The Prosecutor of the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) Hassan Bubacar Jallow has repeatedly said that the region, especially the Eastern part of the DRC, is now fertile ground for the Genocidaires, protected by local militias. The meeting also called on member states to meet their financial obligations on time and settle outstanding payments to allow effective running of the secretariat as well as implementing regional programmes. The ministers set August 15, 2011 as the deadline for submission of applications for the post of Executive Secretary. A Special ICGLR Summit extended the tenure of service of Ambassador Liberata Mulamula until December, 2011. Ends

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ICGLR seeks common stand against Rwandan rebels