Conflict resolution top on IGAD Kampala meeting
The director of regional cooperation, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Rhoda Kaisho-Sinani (R) and IGAD Director of Agriculture Muhamed Moussa address the press at Munyonyo yesterday. IGAD member states will discuss ways to combat regional conflict. PHOTO BY ISAAC KASAMANI
What you need to know:
Kick-starting meet
On Tuesday. First Lady Janet Museveni will preside over the meeting of the IGAD committee on conflict early warning and response, to be attended by the permanent secretaries of the ministries of foreign affairs of all the eight member states.
Conflict resolution. The meeting is expected to detail avenues through which member states can share timely information in ways to combat national and trans-boundary conflicts.
A high level meeting of the eight member states of the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) discussing the challenges and solutions to cross-border conflicts in the region has opened in Kampala.
Uganda is hosting this critical meet under the auspices of IGAD’s Conflict Early Warning and Response Mechanism (CEWARN) committee.
Tucked away at the Commonwealth Resort Munyonyo, delegates opened discussions yesterday at a meeting expected to “deepen cooperation” between member states on prevention of national and trans-boundary violent conflicts.
However, before the discussions got underway, envoys representing member states from Ethiopia, Djibouti, Somalia, Kenya, Sudan, Eritrea, South Sudan and host Uganda, observed a minute of silence in honour of former Ethiopian leader, Meles Zenawi, who at the time of his death on August 20, was IGAD chairperson.
IGAD states are grappling with national and trans-boundary conflicts, which often turn violent and leave a lot of destruction.
Thousands of civilians continue to bear the brunt of these conflicts in which many are killed, maimed or get displaced into a life of untold suffering as refugees.
Discussing Congo
Although the Democratic Republic of Congo is not a member of the IGAD, officials admitted yesterday that recent hostilities in the country, which borders Uganda to the west, would be up for discussion - given the vast effects such conflicts have on regional peace and stability.
Dr Martin Kimani, the CEWARN director, told reporters that IGAD “is looking towards the conflict because it is causing insecurity in member states.”
Fighting between the Congolese government forces and M23 rebels, who are said to enjoy the support of Rwanda, sparked a fresh influx of refugees into southwestern Uganda in June.
Rwanda, however, denies accusations that it is supporting the rebels.
With such conflicts central to the Munyonyo meet, experts from the member states spent much of yesterday exchanging and sharing ideas.
The varying views are expected to be incorporated into a fully-fledged regional strategy on conflict and early warning response, which First Lady and Karamoja Minister Janet Museveni will officially launch tomorrow.
