The National Coordination Mechanism for the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (NCM/ICGLR) has translated the Security, Stability and Development pact into Kinyarwanda as part of this year’s action plan.

This was announced by Amb. Joseph Mutaboba, the President’s Special Envoy to the Great Lakes Region, who is also the orgnisation’s national coordinator of the stakeholders retreat that was held to assess progress on the implementation of the treaty, Thursday at Top Tower Hotel, Kimihurura.

"In a bid to increase awareness about this pact, we have been able to translate its protocols into Kinyarwanda so that Rwandans read and understand it, ” Mutaboba said.

The agreement was adopted as a collective determination by different countries in the Great Lakes Region to transform the region into a space of sustainable peace and security for states and peoples, characterized by political and social stability; shared growth and development.

In as far as the implementation process is concerned; a secretariat with a structured budget has already been put in place in Bujumbura to oversee of the implementation of other instruments within the region.

According to Mutaboba, Rwanda is set to be an exemplary implementer of the pact’s policies.

"In our implementation process, we have been able to discuss with major stakeholders about how to execute strategic plans and soon we will network with the other 10 countries so that we show them how to implement the necessary strategies,” he added.

The retreat brought together major stakeholders who included members of parliament, private sector representatives, religious leaders and other specialised groups who are assigned to implement particular strategies.

Participants discussed key issues concerning the new action plan and important ways of how to achieve its set targets. 

"Rwanda attaches great importance to any working thought in regard to the process of this pact because it aims at installing lasting peace and stability as well as enforcing development in the region,” Mutaboba said as he encouraged stakeholders to always turn up for future retreats.

Other objectives for this year include; harmonizing the pact and its protocols with national laws, strengthening the NCM and building the capacity of its members and staff, translating more protocols, evaluating progress of implementation and facilitating implementation of the pact among others.

The establishment of the ICGLR stemmed from the conflicts and tragedies in the region, especially the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsis in Rwanda and the situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) which constituted a threat to International Peace and Security.

ICGLR member countries include Angola, Burundi, Central African Republic, Republic of Congo, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Sudan, Tanzania, and Zambia.

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