Zambia sees hope of lasting peace in Great Lakes region

Zambia's Special Envoy to the Great Lakes Region Siteke Mwale has expressed optimism that a lasting solution for peace in the region would be achieved soon due to commitment shown by all stakeholders in the on-going negotiations.

"The genuine level of commitment to dialogue shown by all stakeholders gives me hope that lasting peace will soon return to the region," Mwale told Xinhua here Wednesday.

Speaking at the sideline of an inter-ministerial meeting called to provide inputs to a draft report on the on-going dialogue in the region, the special envoy said stakeholders were working hard towards finalizing the final report to be presented to heads of states next year in Nairobi, Kenya.

The region, he said, was working towards the establishment of a pact on security, stability and development that would ensure lasting peace in the region.

While acknowledging the peace prevailing in Zambia, he said the country has suffered security and economic disruptions due to conflicts in the region resulting in the influx of refugees into the country.

Zambia's Acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Moses Mbumba said the country would support all efforts aimed at bringing stability and development in the region.

He said though the Great Lakes region has abundant natural resources, development has eluded the region due to political instability.

The countries in the region formed the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region as a process of bringing stability, security and development to the region.

The Conference has held various consultative meetings which resulted in the signing of the Dar es Salaam Declaration on peace, security, democracy and development by heads of states in November last year. The heads of states will sign an agreement next year that will bind all stakeholders to maintain peace in the region.

Currently there are 21 countries in the Great Lakes region, 11 of which are core members while 10 are co-opted members.

Source: Xinhua