Africa-Press – Angola. Angolan President João Lourenço on Saturday recommended a profound review of the Pact that governs the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR), in order to adjust it to the region’s current challenges and make it more efficient in its main mission of promoting peace and resolving conflicts.
João Lourenço was speaking at the opening of the 9th Summit of the ICGLR Heads of State and Government, as the organization’s outgoing Chairperson.
He stated that the review of the founding instrument should clarify the role of the CIRGL within the continental framework, at a time when it is necessary to reinforce coordination between the African Union, the Regional Economic Communities and the various regional mechanisms responsible for conflict prevention and management.
He explained that this alignment is essential to facilitate the mobility of people, goods and services, harmonize policies, stimulate regional markets and rationalize economic zones, avoiding overlapping duties.
João Lourenço referred that, following the request made to the African Union for the recognition of the CIRGL as a Regional Mechanism, it is opportune to take advantage of the Constitutive Pact review process to refocus the organization on its essentials, in order to act as a platform for mediation and conflict resolution, as requested from the continental organization.
The President also stated that Angola intended more substantial advances in the organization’s internal reforms, especially at the level of the Secretariat, during his presidency.
However, he said, this was not possible due to the serious financial crisis affecting the functioning of the institution, resulting from delays in contributions from Member States.
João Lourenço warned that the situation puts the sustainability and even the very existence of the ICGLR Secretariat at risk, compromising the organization’s ability to respond to the challenges for which it was created.
Faced with this scenario, the statesman called for the engagement of Member States, urging them to regularly pay their contributions and settle accumulated debts, to allow the organization to fulfill its obligations and live up to the expectations of the region and the continent.
The Summit is being marked by the transfer of the presidency of the ICGLR to the President of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Félix Tshisekedi.
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