The PF-ICGLR delegation, led by Zambia’s National Assembly Speaker Rt. Hon. Nelly Mutti Butete, is in Uganda to assess peace and security in the Eastern DRC. Uganda’s Speaker Anita Among expressed support for African-led solutions and emphasized the necessity of peace for regional stability. The delegation’s findings will be shared at the PF-ICGLR plenary in April.
A delegation from the Forum of Parliamentarians in the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (PF-ICGLR) is visiting Uganda to conduct a fact-finding mission focused on peace and security in the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Led by the Speaker of the National Assembly of Zambia and President of PF-ICGLR, Rt. Hon. Nelly Mutti Butete, the team will meet with President Yoweri Museveni to discuss collaboration on peace efforts.
During a welcoming address on 10 March 2025, Speaker Anita Among commended the delegation for their dedication to promoting regional peace. She reaffirmed Uganda’s support for African-led initiatives, asserting, “As Africans, we have always agreed that African problems can only be solved locally.” She applauded their initiative of engaging with various heads of state to explore pathways to peace.
Among further emphasized the critical role of peace in the DRC for the stability of the Great Lakes Region. She stated, “Problem-solving is why they are here. We want to see how best peace can be created in the DRC… It begins with us.” Additionally, she noted that Uganda remains committed to its financial obligations within the forum.
Butete articulated the objectives of the delegation’s visit, highlighting the need for regional leadership to effectively address conflicts. She remarked, “Without peace, we cannot interact, and even regional integration cannot prosper. Peace is a precursor to development.” Butete called for African nations to prioritize their own security and refrain from seeking external intervention.
The findings from this mission will be presented to the PF-ICGLR plenary in April and discussed at higher levels. As she nears the end of her term, Butete stressed the importance of making tangible progress in regional peace efforts before the leadership transition to Angola.
The mission led by the PF-ICGLR delegation to Uganda highlights a concerted effort to foster peace and security in the DRC, emphasizing the importance of local solutions for African issues. Speaker Anita Among’s remarks and Butete’s emphasis on regional leadership underline Uganda’s commitment to playing a pivotal role in stabilizing the Great Lakes Region. The outcomes of this mission are set to influence future discussions at the PF-ICGLR plenary, marking a significant step towards sustainable peace in the region.
Original Source: www.zawya.com
