Africa-Press – Angola. The Secretary of State for Former Combatants and Veterans of the Fatherland, Domingos Tchikanha, said this Wednesday in Luanda that the Angolan Government remains committed to demonstrating its commitment to peace and stability in Africa and the world.
The minister was speaking at the opening of the meeting of the Committee of Chiefs of Staff of the Armed Forces of member countries of the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (CIRGL).
He emphasized that peace, national reconciliation and stability are the greatest good so that personal, institutional and state projects can be developed safely.
Domingos Tchikanha, who was speaking on behalf of the holder of the National Defense portfolio, said that the motivation and commitment in favor of peace and stability, particularly in organizations in which the country is an integral part, result from the knowledge and accumulated experience of the harmful effects of war.
He evoked the fact that Angola hosted, with the aim of peace and stability, on the 27th of last June, the Quadripartite Summit of Heads of State and Governments of SADC, CEEAC, CAO and CIRGL, under the direction of the African Union (AU) and United Nations participation.
The Secretary of State hopes that the meeting will allow for the exchange of information and reflection on aspects necessary for the security and stability of the region and beyond.
The head of the General Staff of the Angolan Armed Forces (FAA) and chairman of the said committee, Altino dos Santos, who welcomed the participants, underlined the importance of the forum and reiterated the role of the CIRGL in conflict resolution and peace promotion.
He mentioned that this body is an important pillar for building stability and development in the member countries, having reiterated the need for joint efforts in order to keep it strong and effective, serving as the basis for a more balanced, fair security system and inclusive.
He added that the CIRGL is also capable of strengthening relations of cooperation and trust between the peoples of the respective States.
“The military leaders of our countries have the responsibility of working together to contribute to guaranteeing the much-desired peace, stability and security throughout the region,” he said when addressing representatives of the member states of the organization, including general officers, admirals and defense experts.
The opening act was also marked by the intervention of the executive secretary of the CIRGL, João Caholo, who, among others, addressed a message of thanks to the Angolan Government for having hosted this preparatory meeting for the Meeting of Ministers of Defense of the member countries of the CIRGL, to be held next Friday (07).
In his view, the forum will allow reflection on the debates aimed at formulating strategies to adequately respond to the challenges faced by the CIRGL, insofar as “pathways” are prepared for collaboration and adequate harmonization of peace initiatives in the Great Lakes Region .
He said it was necessary to reflect on the readiness of the CIRGL to implement the directives of the Heads of State and Government in an accelerated and efficient way, since the organization needs a mechanism for collaboration with its partners, namely the East African Community ( CAO), SADC and the Community of Central African States (CEEAC), under the coordination of the African Union and the UN.
According to the executive secretary of the CIRGL, such collaboration will allow the sharing of information on the movements and operations of the armed forces of this organization with terrorist organizations on the continent.
Gathered, behind closed doors, in one of Luanda’s hotels, the heads of the General Staff of the countries that make up the CIRGL are analyzing, until Thursday, aspects related to peace and security in the region, in preparation for the meeting of Defense Ministers.
Angola chairs the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (CIRGL), made up of the Central African Republic (CAR), Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Burundi, Republic of Congo, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia.
For More News And Analysis About Angola Follow Africa-Press
