Nelly Butete Kashumba, the Speaker of the Zambian Parliament and Chairperson of the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR), has underscored the critical importance of fostering peace and promoting better coexistence among African nations. She emphasized that peace is a fundamental precursor to development and regional cooperation.
Kashumba is currently leading a delegation of Members of Parliament on a fact-finding mission aimed at restoring peace in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), a region that has been plagued by prolonged conflict. The ongoing violence has disproportionately affected women and children while hindering regional collaboration and economic progress.
As part of their mission, the delegation today paid a courtesy visit to the Speaker of the Ugandan Parliament, Annet Anita Among, ahead of a diplomatic meeting with His Excellency President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni. The visit aimed to strengthen regional ties and discuss strategies for addressing the crisis in the DRC.
During her remarks, Kashumba highlighted the need for African countries to take ownership of their challenges and work towards independent solutions rather than relying on international intervention. She stressed that African nations must unite to resolve conflicts and create a stable environment for sustainable development.*"Peace is the foundation of development. As African nations, we must take the lead in solving our own problems and fostering coexistence. Dependency on international solutions is not the way forward. We have the capacity and the responsibility to build a peaceful and prosperous continent."*
Kashumba, whose term as ICGLR Chairperson ends in April, is set to hand over the role to her Angolan counterpart. Her tenure has been marked by a strong focus on conflict resolution, peacebuilding, and promoting regional integration.
The delegation’s visit to Uganda is part of broader efforts to engage regional stakeholders in addressing the crisis in eastern DRC. The team’s findings and recommendations are expected to contribute to ongoing initiatives aimed at restoring stability and fostering cooperation in the Great Lakes region.
"We are here to listen, learn, and collaborate. The people of eastern DRC, especially women and children, have suffered for too long. It is our collective responsibility to ensure that peace prevails, not just for their sake but for the entire region."
As the delegation continues its mission, the emphasis remains on African-led solutions and the importance of unity in tackling the continent’s most pressing challenges. The handover of the ICGLR leadership to Angola in April will mark a new chapter in the organization’s efforts to promote peace and development in the Great Lakes region.
