S. Sudan to join ICGLR

Months after expressing interest in joining the EAC, South Sudan has also tendered in its request to become the twelfth member of the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR). Nathan Byamukama, an ICGLR official, told The New Times yesterday that South Sudan will be admitted to the eleven member regional grouping during the ICGLR Heads of State summit set for next month in Kampala. “South Sudan unofficially expressed interest to join ICGLR, what we are waiting for is a written document and admission is expected to be in December,” Byamukama said. “In principle, the ministers met in Brazzaville and they requested us to prepare for the entry of South Sudan which will actually require an amendment of the pact on security, stability and development which establishes the organisation”. More than 11 Heads of State and Government are expected to attend the summit to run under the theme; “United to Prevent, End Impunity and Provide Assistance to Victims of Sexual Gender Based Violence” Rhoda Kaisho, the Director of Regional Cooperation in Uganda’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said concrete actions needed to be urgently initiated in a multidimensional manner, both at national and regional level, to prevent sexual gender based violence. “This summit will adopt decisions that will significantly contribute to prevention of the crime, ending impunity of perpetuators and supporting the victims and survivors,” Kaisho added. The summit is also expected to elect Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni as the new Chair of the ICGLR, taking over from Zambia, which took over from Kenya two years ago. Ends

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S. Sudan to join ICGLR