Africa-Press – Angola. Angolan President João Lourenço transferred the presidency of the International Conference of the Great Lakes Region (CIRGL) on Saturday to his counterpart from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Félix Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo.
The event took place during the 9th Ordinary Summit of Heads of State and Government, held in Kinshasa.
In his speech during the Summit, the Head of State thanked the trust placed in Angola to preside over the organization during the last five years.
He also congratulated the President of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Félix Tshisekedi, on assuming the Chairpersonship of the ICGLR, wishing him success in leading the body
João Lourenço stated that Angola did everything in its power to contribute to the resolution of the region’s most sensitive problems, stressing that the search for peace and stability requires the determined involvement of all Member States.
The Angolan Head of State thanked the support received throughout the mandate, in which Angola focused its actions on the pillar of peace and security, without neglecting the economic and institutional aspects of the organization.
He also reaffirmed that regional stability will only be possible if leaders place the interests of their people above any others and reinforce cooperation between nations.
When transferring the presidency, João Lourenço expressed confidence in Félix Tshisekedi’s ability to lead the organization, despite the particular challenges that the DRC faces in the field of internal security.
He considered that the exercise will require balance and a sense of responsibility, but expressed optimism regarding the performance of the new acting president.
The CIRGL, which brings together countries from the Great Lakes region, maintains as priorities the promotion of peace, political stabilization, economic cooperation and sustainable development.
The CIRGL is an intergovernmental organization created based on the recognition of the regional dimension of political instability and conflicts experienced in the region’s Member States and which require a concerted effort to promote sustainable peace and development.
It currently consists of 12 countries (Angola, Burundi, Central African Republic, Congo, DRC, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania and Zambia) that meet at a summit, at the level of heads of State and Government, every two years.
For More News And Analysis About Angola Follow Africa-Press
