MONICA KAYOMBO/Zambia/Lusaka
THE security situation in the neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has been a major concern and all members of the International Great Lakes Region (IGLR) have continued working round the clock to see that peace is restored.
Last week, the IGLR held an extraordinary meeting in Livingstone, Zambia to address the deteriorating humanitarian and security situation in the Eastern DRC.
The IGLR member countries also looked at the regional implications of the security and humanitarian crisis, the importance of regional cooperation with a quest for the unified response to address insecurity and promote stability in the region among other things.
On the issue of ceasefire in the DRC, the IGLR reviewed the mechanisms to ensure effectiveness and impartiality.
Zambia’s Vice President Mutale Nalumango officiated at the 2026 IGLR extra-ordinary which was also attended by Zambia’s Minister of Defence Abrose Lufuma where she called on the member countries to invest in lasting solutions to restore stability in the Eastern DRC.
Ms Nalumango expressed concern that despite the DRC being rich in natural resources, culture and resilient people, it is worrying that the country continues to face instability.
Ms Nalumango said the IGLR extraordinary meeting was historic to the leaders of the member countries to rise above divisions and ensure that war was silenced to pave way for lasting peace.
Mr Lufuma said the meeting demonstrated the solidarity and common commitment to peace and stability in the region.
And the United Nations Special Envoy for the Great Lakes Region, HUANG XIA, said the crisis underscores that no single country can resolve such complex challenges alone and confirmed that the UN will continue to support regional peace efforts.
The meeting emphasized the need for collective action to address conflicts and promote stability in the GLR.
The member States also called for strengthened operational oversight of the ongoing ceasefire between the Government of the DRC and the AFC M23 armed group through the Review of Expanded Joint Verification Mechanism Plus (EJVM+)
The DRC was represented by Defence Minister Guy Kabombo Muadiamvita who called on the member countries to find a lasting solution to the security situation in his country.
Other countries represented were Angola, Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Uganda, Tanzania, Sudan, and Central African Republic
Vice President Mutale Nalumango at the just ended IGLR extra ordinary meeting in Livingstone, Zambia
