Kenya calls for concerted efforts to curb conflicts in Great Lakes region

Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta on Wednesday called for converted efforts to resolve conflicts in the Great Lakes region in order to stabilize the region.

Kenyatta who addressed the 6th extraordinary Summit of the Great Lakes Regional Heads of States and Governments in Nairobi, said integrated solutions are key to end incessant conflicts in the region.

"It is an African habit to seek brotherhood and work in solidarity; every community of our great continent has a saying that enunciates the kiswahili proverb, "Umoja ni Nguvu: Unity is Strength," Kenyatta said.

He said the Great Lakes Region's development and stability has been compromised by incessant conflicts that continued inflicting undesirable effects on the peoples' social and economic development.

He called on African leaders to address the root causes of conflict and instability and work together in accordance with the principles set out in the International Conference on Grate Lakes Region (ICGLR) pact on Security, Stability and Development.

The meeting, focusing on the raging fighting in DR Congo, is being attended by 11 countries which signed the Addis Ababa accord in February and also comes after the meeting on the DRC at the Security Council last week.

The summit also comes after the Security Council restated its commitment to the UN-brokered peace accord for Africa's strife- torn Great Lakes region and demanded an immediate end to hostilities in DR Congo, where fresh clashes between armed rebels and Congolese troops have sent thousands of civilians fleeing for safety.

Kenyatta said the East African nation is concerned about the fresh outbreak of violence in North Kivu, which has initiated a fresh cycle of humanitarian crisis in the region.

Participants say they are committed to the full implementation of a framework on peace, security and development as evidenced by regular dialogues and signing of binding accords.

The African leaders are also expected to iron out humanitarian issues dealing with refugees in the region, besides giving an opportunity for regional leaders to address the issues impeding economic integration and investments in infrastructure.

The ICGLR Summit was chaired by President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda, and was attended by Central African President Michel Djotodia, UN Special Envoy to the Great Lakes Region Mary Robinson, the Director-General of the UN Office at Nairobi (UNON) Sahle-Work Zewde, among others.

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