The PF-ICGLR delegation, led by Zambia’s Rt. Hon. Nelly Mutti Butete, is in Uganda to promote peace and security in Eastern DRC. Speaker Anita Among emphasized the need for African-led solutions and the importance of regional stability. Their findings will be presented for further discussions in April.
A delegation of the Forum of Parliamentarians in the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (PF-ICGLR) is conducting a fact-finding mission in Uganda centered on peace and security in Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The delegation, led by the Speaker of the National Assembly of Zambia, Rt. Hon. Nelly Mutti Butete, will engage with President Yoweri Museveni during their visit.
During the welcoming address on March 10, 2025, Speaker Anita Among recognized the delegation’s commitment to fostering regional peace. She reaffirmed Uganda’s support for locally-driven solutions to African issues, emphasizing that such problems are best resolved within the continent.
Speaker Among stated, “As Africans, we have always agreed that African problems can only be solved locally… I applaud you and your team for that.” She reiterated the importance of peace in the DRC, suggesting that local stability influences wider regional security.
Butete articulated the mission’s purpose, acknowledging that the visit represents the fourth phase of discussions on peace and security issues in Eastern DRC. She stressed that without peace, development and regional integration are hindered.
Butete noted, “…without peace, we cannot interact, and even regional integration cannot prosper. Peace is a precursor to development.” She urged African nations to manage their security affairs internally rather than relying on foreign intervention.
The delegation’s conclusions will be submitted to the PF-ICGLR plenary in April, where it will undergo further discussion before being escalated to higher authorities. Butete, nearing the end of her leadership term, highlighted the need for concrete progress prior to a leadership transition to Angola.
Uganda continues to play a pivotal role in advocating for peace and security within the region, promoting home-grown solutions to contextual challenges in Africa.
In summary, the PF-ICGLR delegation’s mission underscores the critical need for regional cooperation in resolving the DRC’s security challenges. Uganda’s support for local solutions and commitment to peace in the Great Lakes Region positions it as a vital stakeholder in ongoing discussions. The delegation’s forthcoming findings are expected to further advance the dialogue towards sustainable peace and development in the area.
Original Source: www.zawya.com
