The Minister of Defence and Veteran Affairs/UPDF Adolf Mwesige, and the UN Special Envoy to the Great Lakes Region, Ambassador Said Djinnit have hashed out the contribution of International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGL) towards the eradication of negative forces in Africa.
This was during a meeting held Wednesday at the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs/UPDF Headquarters, Mbuya hill in Kampala.
The discussion comes as the continent continues to grapple with conflicts waged by extremists, militia groups and political dissidents.
The conflicts are visible in Central African Republic, Somalia, South Sudan, Eastern DRC and North Eastern Nigeria among others.
ICGL establishment was based on the recognition that political instability and conflicts in African Great Lakes Regions countries have a considerable regional dimension and thus require a concerted effort in order to promote sustainable peace and development.
The organization is composed of twelve member states, namely: Angola, Burundi, Central African Republic, Republic of Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Republic of South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania and Zambia.
During a recent summit on African Capacity for Immediate Response to Crisis (ACIRC), former Deputy Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), Gen Ivan Koreta called for combined efforts to address conflicts on the continent.
“African Capacity for immediate Response to crisis as a voluntary mechanism could deliver the right impact, address complex conflicts and deal with various scenarios much earlier than projected,” said Koreta.
He further stated that “Planning in an integrated manner, enhancing cohesion and building capacity is the way to go.”
Today’s meeting which was also attended by the UPDF Deputy Chief of Defence Forces Lt Gen Wilson Mbadi, UPDF Chief of Legal Services, Brig Ramadhan Kyamulesire, and MODVA/UPDF Spokesperson Brig Richard Karemire, among others, also reviewed the role played by the Uganda towards the restoration of peace and security in the Great Lakes Region.
On his part, Minister Mwesige, expressed his gratitude to the UN Special Envoy for all the support rendered in trying to make the region a better place to live and work in.