The International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR) has reaffirmed its commitment to finding lasting solutions to challenges facing member states, including insecurity, instability, and sustainable development.
The remarks were made on November 13, 2025, in Kinshasa, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), during the opening of the ICGLR Ordinary Ministerial Meeting, which was inaugurated by the Prime Minister of DRC, Judith Tuluka Suminwa.
Member states were urged to uphold the founding pact of the ICGLR, which aims to promote peace, security, and genuine development through cooperation, unity, and solidarity, while dedicating resources and efforts toward achieving those goals.
The Tanzanian delegation to the meeting is led by the Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation, Ambassador Said Shaib Mussa.
Tanzania expressed its support for the ongoing discussions, particularly on peace and security, and reaffirmed its continued commitment to contributing to regional stability, as it has done in various countries across the region.
In her opening speech, Prime Minister Suminwa noted that ICGLR countries have not yet fully achieved the objectives set out in the founding pact—peace, security, and development—and called for stronger unity, collaboration, and solidarity among member states to address security challenges effectively.
She highlighted that a lack of financial resources and poor infrastructure within and between member states has significantly hindered the attainment of the community’s objectives.
Leaders concluded their statements by emphasizing the importance of ICGLR countries designing homegrown solutions to address regional challenges without over-reliance on external assistance.
They also underscored the need to strengthen regional institutions with adequate human and financial resources to effectively manage pressing issues, including peace and security.
