By Cecilia Chiluba/Zambia/Lusaka
Zambia’s Vice President, Mutale Nalumango has called for the immediate end and silencing of the guns in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), following persistent insecurity in that country.
Mutale Nalumango noted that the conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo has displaced many people and deprived families of a better future.
Mrs. Nalumango was speaking when she opened the Extraordinary Meeting of Ministers of Defence in Livingstone-Zambia, under the auspices of the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR).
She urged Ministers of Defence to find a solution to the conflict and end the fighting now.
“We need to find a solution which has eluded generations. This extraordinary meeting needs urgent and immediate action to silence the guns,”Mrs Nalumango stated.
She added that armed groups in the eastern DRC have distabilised communities and forced civilians to flee.
And ICGLR Executive Secretary Dr. Mundia Luwabelwa urged ICGLR member states to prioritize peace processes currently underway to end the conflict.
“10.5 million people have been displaced due to the ongoing fighting in the DRC,” he said.
According to a statement issued by Ministry of Defence Principal Public Relations Officer Paul Shalala, Dr. Luwabelwa thanked the United States Government and the Government of Qatar for spearheading peace talks.
Zambia hosted the Extraordinary Meeting of the ICGLR in Livingstone, from January 8 to 10, 2026, whose objective was to address the deteriorating humanitarian and security situation in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo and its regional implications.
The ICGLR is committed to curbing illicit trade, fostering dialogue, and promoting peace and security in the region.
