Members of the Executive Committee of the Forum of Parliaments for the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (FP-ICGLR) converge in Kigali today for a two-day 7th Ordinary Session of the committee.Under the FP-ICGLR, which is the main inter-parliamentary organisation of African Parliaments in the Great Lakes Region, member MPs discuss regional security and conflicts prevention, and management among member countries.The legislators will give presentations and debate on the security and political situation in ICGLR member states as well as report on the political situation in the region.The 7th Session of the Executive Committee will also organise the 4th Plenary Assembly of the Forum of Parliaments of ICGLR to be held in November in Bujumbura, Burundi.This session will also see participants present and discuss the activity report for the first half of 2013, including the financial situation and challenges of the Forum; draw up recommendations on political and security situation in the region ahead of the drafting of Resolutions to be submitted to the 4th Ordinary Session of the Plenary Assembly; and adopt the draft agenda of the Bujumbura session.The timing of the session is significant in view of the renewed clashes in the neighbouring DR Congo, which will be represented in the meeting, according to officials.Renewed fighting between the Congolese army, allegedly backed by FDLR militia, have seen thousands of refugees cross into Rwanda over the last few days. Two mortar bombs were also fired, last week, from DR Congo territory landing into Rubavu District in Western Province.Uganda is facing alleged resurgence of ADF rebels, also operating from DRC.Apart from delegates from 12 member countries of the ICGLR, the meeting has also attracted European parliamentarians involved in African-European Parliamentary dialogue.
