SECURITY AND DEMOCRACY GET TOP PRIORITY OF THE LEADERS OF THE GREAT LAKES REGION

12/27/2006
GRANTS WECHE MOKADHO AGAJA KUYO BARUPE WECHE DONGRUOK MBAKA NONRO JEXJALUO NGECHE LUO GI GWENG' THUM TEDO LUO KITGI GI TIMBEGI SIGENDNI LUO THUOND WECHE ;	KISUMU 27^th Dec 2006 SECURITY AND DEMOCRACY GET TOP PRIORITY OF THE LEADERS OF THE GREAT LAKES REGION By Leo Odera Omolo When the Heads of State and Governments from the Great Lakes Region of Africa converged in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi shortly before Christmas their main concern was how best their countries could tackle insecurity in the region. They signed a pact setting up a Kshs.100 billion special reconstruction fund for security, development and to rebuild infrastructure and institutions ravaged by years of armed conflict in the region. The special fund target four key components, namely security, democracy, good governance, economic development and regional integration as well as humanitarian and social issues. The two days Head of State and Governments summit which was held between 13^th and 14^th December 2006 brought together six presidents and the two prime ministers. It was chaired by the Host president Mwai Kibaki of Kenya . In attendance were presidents Yoweri Kaguta Museveni (Uganda), Jakaya Kikwete (Tanzania), Levy Mwanawasa (Zambia), Pierre Nkuruzinza (Burundi), Joseph Kabila (Democratic Republic of Congo), Also in attendance were Rwandese Prime Minister and his Somalia counterpart Mohammed Ghedi, Congo Brazzville, Sudan, Ethiopia and Malawi were represented at ministerial level kind of delegates. There were also representatives of the united Nations, African Union and the European Union. The leaders reached the accord to set up this very special fund having in mind the on-going sporadic wars in several member states such as Somali, insurgency in Northern Uganda and the yet to be resolved ethnic armed conflict in both Rwanda and Burundi. This important pact would bind member states to promote democracy and security. These leaders also had in their minds the ravaged institutions in Rwanda , Burundi and in the Democratic republic of Congo (DRC). Another key development was that a secretariat to follow up to ensure the implementation of the accord as outlined in the five year plan of action in pursuant to the November 2004 Dar es Salaam declaration, would be established and highly skilled administrative personnel deployed to administer the funds and to ensure the implementation of all the earmarked projects. The summit urged the international community to back the renewed drive to restore political stability and put an end to civil wars in the region. The heads of state and governments commended countries that had conducted successful elections in the last two years, singling out Burundi , Zambia , Tanzania and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). In his address to the summit, President Yoweri Museveni scathingly criticized some countries, which he accused of sheltering rebel groups hell-bent on destabilizing their government at home and proposed amendment to the pact to provide for the criminalization of individual who abetted "negative forces". "The problem of neighbours threatening others by harbouring terrorists must be sorted out now", thundered Uganda head of state amid prolonged applause. Museveni specifically mentioned the Democratic Republic of Congo to root out rebels who were posing a threat to Rwanda and his country ( Uganda ). During the Nairobi summit President Joseph Kabila of the Democratic Republic of Congo stole the show and was cheered by both the citizen of his country living in Kenya and the Kenyans alike. President Kabila who recently won a run-off after the July polls, the first in more than 40 years, failed to produce a clear winner. His rival Mr. Jean Pierre Bemba, a former rebel leader, conceded defeat after the Supreme Court rejected his application challenging the election results. Kabila presence in Nairobi caused a lot of excitement. An excited crowd waited outside Hilton Hotel to see him, interrupting business in most part of the morning when the conference opened. Congolese were seen waving placards and flags, they sang and danced to the tone of the famous "Ndombolo" music. President Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete of Tanzania who handed over the chairmanship of the conference, which he has held ever since 2004 to the host President Kibaki told his colleagues that the reconstruction fund would require "massive injection of capital". He challenged member states to demonstrate commitment to the cause by devoting their resources. "It is my hope that we will be the first to give pledges and commit resources to the fund as demonstration of political goodwill". President Kikwete further appealed for aid from donor communities. President Kibaki said peaceful and democratic elections "testify to the success of our collective vision and efforts". This positive trend further reinforces our belief and knowledge that legitimacy attained through the ballot, in a free, competitive setting, will ultimately lead to a significant reduction of conflict in our region ranging from armed conflicts, famine and refugees, to environmental degradation. Conflicts among states have led to killing of thousands of innocent civilians, he said adding that among the impoverished and volatile areas include Northern Uganda, Rwanda , Burundi , Somalia and Eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The International Conference of the Great Lakes Region resulted from the decades of long crisis in the region, which were considered a threat to international peace and stability. The process deals with four major themes;- peace and security, Democracy and Good Governance, Economic Development and Regional Integration and Humanitarian and Social Issues. The conference also handled cross cutting issues such as Gender, Environment, HIV/Aids, Human Settlements and Human Rights. The Nairobi meeting was facilitated by a joint United Nations and African Union Secretariat based in Nairobi . Since its inception in June 2003, people from the region have, through technical thematic task forces, developed programme of action, protocols and follow up mechanism. It was also resolved at the Nairobi meeting that a Centre to promote democracy and assist countries to restore the rule of law would be established in the Great Lakes Region. The proposed centre will also monitor human rights and undertake civic education. Through research and training, the proposed Centre will strengthen institutional capacities, it will monitor the pact which was signed in Nairobi at the end of the summit by eleven Heads of State and Governments to gauge how countries are implementing the agreement. Citizens would be educated and sensitized on agreements and democracy to enable them participate in decision making in their respective countries. The proposed centre to be established will help governments and other institutions to plan how to achieve the agreements. In a moving message read on his behalf by his advisor the retired UN Secretary General Kofi Annan urged the Head of States of the Great Lakes Region to continue initiating peace negotiations to curb insecurity. In a message read by Mr. Legwaila Joseph Annan said "the region has witnessed some of the bloodiest wars in the world". I urge the countries to own the peace process. It is you who have defined priorities and it is you who have found ways to work together for the mutual benefits of millions of your people". The former UN chief warned that the peace and security might not be realized it he absence of democracy, development and regional integration. He said he was proud for his contribution to the peace achievement in the region. He further noted that the peace process has been "too long and most difficult and urged countries to respect peace pacts". Millions of people; - women, youth refugees, displaced persons and others are watching you and we are awaiting for concrete benefits, he said. END leooderaomolo@yahoo.com The writer is LUOCOME REPORTER based in Kisumu. We urge all LUOCOME members with pressing issues pertaining to media and press releases to kindly contact him from any where in world. He will assist you to get true picture of your Village Developement. LUOCOME-MEDIA ===================================================== Joluo.com Ka in gi mari moro ma di wandik ka to orni Akelo nyar Kager, jaluo@jaluo.com Daher winjo dwondi in bende, iwinjo?	IDWARO TICH? GALAMORO : Riwruok mar JOLUO e Piny Ngima, orwaku uduto mondo ubed e kanyakla mar burani. Ornwa nyingi gi nondi kaka obedo. Riwruok e teko joka Nyanam. WENDO MIWA PARO OD PAKRUOK

12/27/2006

GRANTS

WECHE MOKADHO

AGAJA

KUYO

BARUPE

WECHE DONGRUOK

MBAKA

NONRO

JEXJALUO

NGECHE LUO

GI GWENG'

THUM

TEDO

LUO KITGI GI TIMBEGI

SIGENDNI LUO

THUOND WECHE

; Hit Counter

KISUMU

27^th Dec 2006

SECURITY AND DEMOCRACY GET TOP PRIORITY OF THE LEADERS OF THE GREAT LAKES REGION

By Leo Odera Omolo

When the Heads of State and Governments from the Great Lakes Region of Africa converged in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi shortly before Christmas their main concern was how best their countries could tackle insecurity in the region.

They signed a pact setting up a Kshs.100 billion special reconstruction fund for security, development and to rebuild infrastructure and institutions ravaged by years of armed conflict in the region.

The special fund target four key components, namely security, democracy, good governance, economic development and regional integration as well as humanitarian and social issues.

The two days Head of State and Governments summit which was held between 13^th and 14^th December 2006 brought together six presidents and the two prime ministers. It was chaired by the Host president Mwai Kibaki of

Kenya

In attendance were presidents Yoweri Kaguta Museveni (Uganda), Jakaya Kikwete (Tanzania), Levy Mwanawasa (Zambia), Pierre Nkuruzinza (Burundi), Joseph Kabila (Democratic Republic of Congo), Also in attendance were Rwandese Prime Minister and his Somalia counterpart Mohammed Ghedi, Congo Brazzville, Sudan, Ethiopia and Malawi were represented at ministerial level kind of delegates. There were also representatives of the united Nations, African Union and the European Union.

The leaders reached the accord to set up this very special fund having in mind the on-going sporadic wars in several member states such as Somali, insurgency in Northern Uganda and the yet to be resolved ethnic armed conflict in both Rwanda and Burundi.

This important pact would bind member states to promote democracy and security.

These leaders also had in their minds the ravaged institutions in

Rwanda

Burundi

and in the Democratic republic of Congo (DRC).

Another key development was that a secretariat to follow up to ensure the implementation of the accord as outlined in the five year plan of action in pursuant to the November 2004 Dar es Salaam declaration, would be established and highly skilled administrative personnel deployed to administer the funds and to ensure the implementation of all the earmarked projects.

The summit urged the international community to back the renewed drive to restore political stability and put an end to civil wars in the region.

The heads of state and governments commended countries that had conducted successful elections in the last two years, singling out

Burundi

Zambia

Tanzania

and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

In his address to the summit, President Yoweri Museveni scathingly criticized some countries, which he accused of sheltering rebel groups hell-bent on destabilizing their government at home and proposed amendment to the pact to provide for the criminalization of individual who abetted "negative forces".

"The problem of neighbours threatening others by harbouring terrorists must be sorted out now", thundered

Uganda

head of state amid prolonged applause.

Museveni specifically mentioned the Democratic Republic of Congo to root out rebels who were posing a threat to

Rwanda

and his country (

Uganda

During the Nairobi summit President Joseph Kabila of the Democratic Republic of Congo stole the show and was cheered by both the citizen of his country living in

Kenya

and the Kenyans alike.

President Kabila who recently won a run-off after the July polls, the first in more than 40 years, failed to produce a clear winner. His rival Mr. Jean Pierre Bemba, a former rebel leader, conceded defeat after the Supreme Court rejected his application challenging the election results.

Kabila presence in Nairobi caused a lot of excitement. An excited crowd waited outside Hilton Hotel to see him, interrupting business in most part of the morning when the conference opened.

Congolese were seen waving placards and flags, they sang and danced to the tone of the famous "Ndombolo" music.

President Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete of

Tanzania

who handed over the chairmanship of the conference, which he has held ever since 2004 to the host President Kibaki told his colleagues that the reconstruction fund would require "massive injection of capital".

He challenged member states to demonstrate commitment to the cause by devoting their resources. "It is my hope that we will be the first to give pledges and commit resources to the fund as demonstration of political goodwill".

President Kikwete further appealed for aid from donor communities.

President Kibaki said peaceful and democratic elections "testify to the success of our collective vision and efforts". This positive trend further reinforces our belief and knowledge that legitimacy attained through the ballot, in a free, competitive setting, will ultimately lead to a significant reduction of conflict in our region ranging from armed conflicts, famine and refugees, to environmental degradation.

Conflicts among states have led to killing of thousands of innocent civilians, he said adding that among the impoverished and volatile areas include Northern Uganda,

Rwanda

Burundi

Somalia

and Eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

The International Conference of the Great Lakes Region resulted from the decades of long crisis in the region, which were considered a threat to international peace and stability.

The process deals with four major themes;- peace and security, Democracy and Good Governance, Economic Development and Regional Integration and Humanitarian and Social Issues. The conference also handled cross cutting issues such as Gender, Environment, HIV/Aids, Human Settlements and Human Rights.

The Nairobi meeting was facilitated by a joint United Nations and African Union Secretariat based in Nairobi . Since its inception in June 2003, people from the region have, through technical thematic task forces, developed programme of action, protocols and follow up mechanism.

It was also resolved at the Nairobi meeting that a Centre to promote democracy and assist countries to restore the rule of law would be established in the Great Lakes Region.

The proposed centre will also monitor human rights and undertake civic education. Through research and training, the proposed Centre will strengthen institutional capacities, it will monitor the pact which was signed in Nairobi at the end of the summit by eleven Heads of State and Governments to gauge how countries are implementing the agreement. Citizens would be educated and sensitized on agreements and democracy to enable them participate in decision making in their respective countries.

The proposed centre to be established will help governments and other institutions to plan how to achieve the agreements.

In a moving message read on his behalf by his advisor the retired UN Secretary General Kofi Annan urged the Head of States of the Great Lakes Region to continue initiating peace negotiations to curb insecurity.

In a message read by Mr. Legwaila Joseph Annan said "the region has witnessed some of the bloodiest wars in the world". I urge the countries to own the peace process. It is you who have defined priorities and it is you who have found ways to work together for the mutual benefits of millions of your people".

The former UN chief warned that the peace and security might not be realized it he absence of democracy, development and regional integration. He said he was proud for his contribution to the peace achievement in the region.

He further noted that the peace process has been "too long and most difficult and urged countries to respect peace pacts". Millions of people; - women, youth refugees, displaced persons and others are watching you and we are awaiting for concrete benefits, he said.

END

leooderaomolo@yahoo.com

The writer is LUOCOME REPORTER based in Kisumu. We urge all LUOCOME members with pressing issues pertaining to media and press releases to kindly contact him from any where in world. He will assist you to get true picture of your Village Developement.
LUOCOME-MEDIA

=====================================================

Joluo.com

Ka in gi mari moro ma di wandik ka to orni
Akelo nyar Kager, jaluo@jaluo.com Daher winjo dwondi in bende, iwinjo?

IDWARO TICH?

GALAMORO : Riwruok mar JOLUO e Piny Ngima, orwaku uduto mondo ubed e kanyakla mar burani. Ornwa nyingi gi nondi kaka obedo. Riwruok e teko joka Nyanam.

WENDO MIWA PARO

OD PAKRUOK