The Governmentof DR Congo has written to Rwanda seeking that Kigali hosts a summit of the Economic Community of Great Lakes Countries (CEPGL), a bloc that brings together the two countries and Burundi.

The development was revealed by Foreign Affairs minister Louise Mushikiwabo, on Thursday, while appearing before the parliamentary  Committee on Foreign Affairs, Cooperation and Security, which had invited her to update them on the country’s foreign policy and diplomatic situation.

Mushikiwabo said, recently, the Kinshasa administration, which chairs the bloc, informed Kigali of its wish to have the meeting on Rwandan territory, specifically in Rubavu District, which also hosts the headquarters of the bloc.

Once it takes place, it will be the first time the summit is convened since 1992.

 "We were happy and we approved. We are waiting for them to give us the exact date. The CEPGL has clear benefits for us, be it in cross-border trade, energy, security, and all those other things that can be best achieved when countries cooperate,” Mushikiwabo said.

The summit had been anticipated since around 2007 when the regional grouping showed signs of a rebirth after a long slumber following the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.

The new CEPGL framework now being considered, she said, requires modifications in the way things are done.

In the past, ministers from the three countries held brainstorming meetings, particularly in Bujumbura, Burundi, and in Rubavu, and approved some of the changes they wished to see realised.  

For three years, she said, Kigali has been waiting for the summit so that Heads of State give the green light to work on the various proposals to be implemented to breathe new life into the bloc’s operations.

"We have proposed changes to the fundamental text of the CEPGL, but it is only the Heads of State Summit that can approve them. So, we welcome the decision by DR Congo to organise this summit.”

"We will be pleased to welcome them and organise that summit in Rubavu. We are waiting for the date (to be communicated). We hope the summit can be held in March.”

Archaic charter 

A CEPGL official, who preferred anonymity in order to speak freely, told The New Times that proposed changes to the bloc’s founding text of 1976 include empowering the Council of Ministers so that it can always expedite development initiatives without waiting for approval from a Heads of State summit.

"Many decisions delay because Heads of State cannot meet regularly to approve plans. One of the proposed changes is to invest more powers in the Council of Ministers of Foreign Affairs,” the source said.

The strategic CEPGL development plan has also been stalled.  

The source said a regional economic roadmap (2014-2020) could not be approved last year yet it contains numerous joint development projects, including energy and transport.

In January, last year, a CEPGL policy dialogue meeting in Rubavu emphasised that the bloc has immense economic potential that can be harnessed to improve the wellbeing of its citizens.

The meeting, held under the theme: "Foreseeing CEPGL at 50: Exploring opportunities for Sustainable Development and Stability in the Great Lakes Region,” brought together regional academicians, civil society and political leaders to discuss available opportunities for sustainable development in the region, with participants citing agriculture and energy among the areas for potential investment.

At the time, political economist Charles Kayitana, a lecturer at University of Rwanda’s College of Business and Economics, said there was need for a common ideology to create sustainable development.

CEPGL countries, among others, want to upgrade hydro-power generation on River Rusizi – which is shared by Rwanda and the DR Congo – with a potential of generating up to 432 megawatts.

The grouping has in the pipeline investments worth Euros3.5 billion – mainly energy development, transport and agriculture – over the next six years, CEPGL executive secretary Herman Tuyaga said.

The bloc was revived in 2007 with Congolese President Joseph Kabila as chairperson, but Heads of State have never met to provide the required leadership.