Brussels, October 15th 2009,
EurAc, the network of European NGOs for Central
Africa, has always taken the position that any
sustainable solution to the problems of Rwanda, Burundi
or the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) must be
based on a regional approach. The states in the
sub-region are in a very complex regional process with
divisions and conflicts at national level taking on a
cross-border dimension. These three countries each have a
complex internal situation and a violent recent past
where differences have become polarised and
interconnected with those of neighbouring countries.
After the end of the Cold War this situation degenerated
into an avalanche of killing and destruction, resulting
in large scale organised violence.
EurAc always supported the idea of an International
Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR) as a viable
framework to address the fundamental issues regarding the
conflicts in and between the countries. The Declaration
of Dar-es-Salaam of November 2004 and the Pact on
security, stability and development in the Great Lakes
region of 15 December 2006 remain major tools for the
creation of conditions of security, stability and
sustainable development between the member states.
Since 2006, the follow-up mechanism of the ICGLR has
established regular interaction of high level officials
in the Great Lakes Region, thus creating a new spirit of
confidence among the governments in the region.
Nevertheless, we see a certain hesitance with some of the
donors to confirm or renew their commitment.
In preparation of the Round Table of the Group of
Friends of the ICGLR in Bujumbura on November 5th and
6th, the European NGOs gathered in EurAc confirm that
they consider the ICGLR as a very relevant structure with
a unique mission and a clear added value:
1)the ICGLR remains the only political framework in
the region with the mandate to address the fundamental
issues of sustainable peace, security and stability, and
the Pact signed in Nairobi in December 2006 provides the
instrument for managing the regional dimension of the
conflict
2) The ICGLR and the Pact are the result of the firm
belief of governments and communities in the region that
there are no single dimension answers to the complexly
interlinked conflicts in the region. Structures of
economic integration (such as EAC, CEPGL and others) have
a very important role to play for sustainable development
and stability in the region, but can not replace the
multi-dimensional and multi-disciplinary perspective of
the ICGLR, which links in a unique way dimensions of
peace, security, good governance, human rights and
economic development
3)Local and international civil society always
struggled against sexual and gender based violence, the
illegal exploitation and trade of natural resources,
trans-border insecurity and violence of armed groups in
general. The ICGLR is the only multilateral framework
with the mandate to address these critical and
contentious issues.
Therefore, EurAc urges the European Union and its
member states to:
1) strengthen the ICGLR in its role and
visibility , and contribute financially, diplomatically
and with expertise to the immediate implementation of the
« Protocol on non-aggression and mutual
defense» and the « Protocol on illegal
exploitation of natural resources», which we believe
to be the priority tools for reestablishing sustainable
peace in eastern Congo;
2) to encourage and help the ICGLR to focus on
its political core business and on its added value and
complementarity to other regional structures
3) To support civil society initiatives to
sensibilise the community at grassroot level on the ICGLR
and help it to become more of a reality at the local
level. EurAc believes that the civil society has a
crucial contribution to give in promoting the ICGLR and
making it more participatory.
For further details:
Kris Berwouts
Rue des Tanneurs, 165 B - 1000 Brussels, Belgium
Tel: +32 (0)2 213 04 000
@: kris.berwouts@eurac-network.org
www.eurac-network.org
