Kagame supports efforts to conclude Kampala talks

President Paul Kagame yesterday received a delegation of five Great Lakes Envoys led by UNSG Special Envoy for the Great Lakes, Mary Robinson who are in the region to lend their support for the conclusion of the peace talks taking place in Kampala, Uganda between the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and M23 rebels.The envoys objective was to seek President Kagame support for the conclusion of the Kampala peace talks as well as share the progress of the Peace, Security and Cooperation Framework for the DRC.Robinson was accompanied by Russell Feingold, US Special Envoy for the Great Lakes Region of Africa and the DRC; Martin Kobler, Special Representative of the Secretary General in the DRC and Head of MONUSCO; Koen Vervaeke, Senior EU Coordinator for the Great Lakes Region; and Boubacar Diarra, Special Representative of the African Union to the Great Lakes Region.Kagame expressed his full support for the continued efforts of the Great Lakes Envoys towards the conclusion of the Kampala talks within the agreed timeline.“This window of opportunity should not be lost. The two parties involved should take advantage of international and regional goodwill to resolve this crisis. It is time that we focus our effort on unlocking the potential for peace and development in the region,” he said.Speaking to the press following the meeting with President Kagame, Robinson shared her optimism for the peaceful resolution of the DRC crisis.“We are not parties to the talks, but we have been very supportive of a good resolution and we now return to Kampala hopeful to see that resolution. We have a strong indication of support from President Kagame,” the UN envoy noted.The delegation returned to Uganda before continuing with their journey that will also take them to DRC.

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Kagame supports efforts to conclude Kampala talks