Uganda Urges Decisive Action on Terrorism as Tshisekedi Leads Great Lakes Region Bloc

The 9th Ordinary Summit of Heads of State and Government of the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR) convened on 15 November 2025 at the Palais du Peuple in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, under the theme “Consolidating Peace & Security for Sustainable Development in the Great Lakes Region.”

The high-level meeting — the first in-person Summit since 2020 — brought together five Heads of State from Angola, Burundi, the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and the Republic of Congo. Uganda was represented by Hon. Dr. Huda Oleru, Minister of State for Defence in charge of Veteran Affairs, on behalf of President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni.

Leadership Changes and Calls for Peace

A significant milestone of the Summit was the handover of the ICGLR Chairmanship from Angola to the DRC, welcomed as a fresh opportunity to intensify regional cooperation. Delegates also witnessed the appointment of Dr. Mubita Luwabelwa of Zambia as the new Executive Secretary, replacing Ambassador João Caholo of Angola.

During the opening ceremony, Mr. Huang Xia, the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative, urged Member States to support the cessation of hostilities in eastern DRC and ensure safe humanitarian access to affected populations.

In his acceptance speech, President Félix Tshisekedi Tshilombo pledged an uncompromising stance on the principles of sovereignty, territorial integrity, and the rejection of support to armed groups. He encouraged renewed dialogue that incorporates women, youth, local authorities, and communities in pursuit of lasting political solutions.

In her statement, Hon. Dr. Huda Oleru commended the outgoing ICGLR leadership for their steadfast efforts to unite Member States and advance peace and security. She underscored the ongoing threat of the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), stressing that the group poses a serious danger not only to Uganda but to the entire region.

Dr. Oleru expressed Uganda’s appreciation to the DRC for its cooperation in Operation Shujaa, the joint military operation against ADF, and extended best wishes to President Tshisekedi as incoming ICGLR Chair.

She further called for stronger support to the Expanded Joint Verification Mechanism (EJVM) to decisively neutralize armed groups, stating that terrorism and insecurity must be confronted collectively and decisively.

Socio-Economic Transformation at the Core of Peacebuilding

Beyond security challenges, Uganda urged ICGLR Member States to prioritize regional economic integration, intra-regional trade, investment, and infrastructure connectivity as engines for socio-economic transformation.

Hon. Oleru emphasized the need for programmes that promote job creation, youth and women’s economic empowerment, skills development, and poverty reduction, describing these as essential foundations for long-term peace.

She cautioned that the Great Lakes Region’s abundant natural resources should be a blessing, not a curse — warning against their exploitation to finance armed groups.

Kinshasa Declaration Sets New Direction

The Summit’s closed session concluded with the adoption of the Kinshasa Declaration, a framework guiding renewed efforts to promote peace and stability. The document integrates the ongoing Doha and Washington processes, as well as the African Union initiative led by President Faure Gnassingbé of Togo.

The Declaration is expected to serve as a harmonized roadmap for consolidating peace, enhancing cooperation, and addressing emerging security challenges in the Great Lakes Region.