COMMUNIQUE OF THE JOINT ICGLR-EAC MEETING HELD IN BUJUMBURA, BURUNDI, MARCH 2017
- THEIR EXCELLENCIES AMB. ZACHARY MUBURI-MUITA, EXECUTIVE SECRETARY OF THE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON THE GREAT LAKES REGION (ICGLR), AND AMB. LIBERAT MFUMUKEKO, SECRETARY GENERAL OF THE EAST AFRICAN COMMUNITY (EAC), MET IN A WARM AND CORDIAL ATMOSPHERE AT THE ICGLR HEADQUARTERS IN BUJUMBURA, BURUNDI FROM 27TH MARCH TO 28TH MARCH, 2017.
2. THEIR EXCELLENCIES CONSIDERED A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING (MOU) SIGNED BETWEEN THE TWO ORGANIZATIONS IN 2010 AND AGREED TO RE-INVIGORATE ITS IMPLEMENTATION.
3. THEIR EXCELLENCIES AGREED TO ADOPT COMMON APPROACHES IN ENHANCING PEACE AND SECURITY, THEREBY CREATING AN ENABLING ENVIRONMENT FOR INVESTMENT AND ECONOMIC GROWTH IN THE REGION.
4. THEIR EXCELLENCIES NOTED THAT THE EAST AFRICAN REGION IS CHALLENGED BY POVERTY AND UNDERDEVELOPMENT WHICH IN TURN EXACERBATE CONFLICTS.
5. THEIR EXCELLENCIES AGREED TO ENHANCE COLLABORATION IN FIVE MAJOR AREAS, NAMELY: DEMOCRACY AND GOOD GOVERNANCE; PEACE AND SECURITY; ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND REGIONAL INTEGRATION; CROSS-CUTTING ISSUES, AND; ISSUES AFFECTING GENDER, WOMEN AND CHILDREN.
6. THEIR EXCELLENCIES AGREED TO UNDERTAKE JOINT ELECTION OBSERVER MISSIONS IN MEMBER STATES; COOPERATE IN ENFORCING CERTIFICATION MECHANISMS IN THE AREA OF NATURAL RESOURCES, ESPECIALLY MINERALS.
7. THEIR EXCELLENCIES FURTHER AGREED TO CONDUCT JOINT STUDIES IN SPECIFIC AREAS OF INTEREST; COLLABORATE IN CAPACITY BUILDING OF LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS AND SECURITY FORCES ON HUMAN RIGHTS AND THE RULE OF LAW; DEVELOP A COUNTER-TERRORISM STRATEGY FOR THE GREAT LAKES REGION; JOINTLY MOBILIZE RESOURCES FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF PLANNED ACTIVITIES.
8. THEIR EXCELLENCIES ALSO AGREED TO ENHANCE INFORMATION SHARING ON KEY ISSUES UNDER THE COMMON AREAS OF INTEREST IN THEIR MANDATES IN ADDITION TO INVOLVING THE MASS MEDIA IN HIGHLIGHTING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF ACTIVITIES.
9. THEIR EXCELLENCIES FURTHER IDENTIFIED FOR JOINT INTERVENTION, TRAINING OF THE CIVIL SOCIETY AND WOMEN MEDIATORS IN CONFLICT RESOLUTION, AND JOURNALISTS IN REPORTING ON SEXUAL AND GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE AND ELECTIONS.
10. H.E. AMB. LIBERAT MFUMUKEKO THANKED HIS HOST H.E. AMB. MUBURI-MUITA FOR THE WARM WELCOME AND HOSPITALITY EXTENDED TO HIM AND MEMBERS OF HIS DELEGATION.
DONE IN BUJUMBURA, BURUNDI, ON 28TH MARCH, 2017
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AMB. ZACHARY MUBURI-MUITA AMB. LIBERAT MFUMUKEKO
EXECUTIVE SECRETARY SECRETARY GENERAL
ICGLR EAC
Done at Bujumbura, Burundi this 28th day of March 2017