Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi is in Luanda, Angola to attend the 18th Ordinary session of the Regional Inter-Ministerial Committee (RIMC) of the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR).
Mudavadi arrived in Luanda on Saturday afternoon and was received by Director of General of State Protocol Angola Isabel Paula Castro and Kenyan ambassador to Luanda Joyce M’maisti alongside her Burundi counterpart Daniel Wambua.
The Prime CS is leading the Kenyan delegation at the inter-ministerial meeting and will present Kenya’s position on various matters to be adopted by the meeting.
These include enhancing responsiveness to emerging threats and crises (conflicts and instability), monitoring and evaluating the regions’ peace initiatives, strengthening regional solidarity and diplomatic cohesion, pro-active policy development and regional alignment, and increased global attention for the region.
“This is going to be a great opportunity for us to engage with our colleagues from the Great lakes region and reflect on the progress on key matters of interest for us as a region as well as re-define the course of action moving forward,” Mudavadi said on arrival at Quatro de Fevereiro Luanda International Airport.
“Peace and Security remains one of the key areas of commitment by Kenya as we are involved in a number of peace keeping missions within the region including the Nairobi Peace Process for the Democratic Republic of Congo - DRC, the Sudan conflict mediation as well as hosting the Tumaini Peace initiative for South Sudan.”
Kenya’s national coordinator and Director of EAC & ICGLR at James Kiiru informed the 18th Ordinary session of the Regional Inter-Ministerial Committee (RIMC) earlier at the pre-conference meeting that Kenya has anchored the regional pact into key national development programs and budgeting processes.
He emphasised that Kenya’s progressive constitution that incorporates human rights and democratic principles and values that reflects Kenya’s high regards to democracy and good governance including the mandatory public participation exercise in policy formulation which has ensured the successful conclusion of general elections.
The Prime CS said it will be critical for this years’ conference to also take a close look at the regional cooperation and chain development keeping in mind the dynamics of the evolving global challenges and opportunities that need a forward-looking mind by the regional players.
Kenya will also be seeking to engage the ICGLR Member States at the sidelines of the Luanda meeting to advance Rt Hon Raila Odinga’s Africa Union Commission Chairperson candidature ahead of the February 2025 elections.
“The RIMC provides a good platform for Kenya to further seek support for her candidature. The Kenya has already notified all ICGLR Member States and requested support for Kenya’s candidate. I will be making a presentation on the same during Sunday’s session,” Mudavadi said.
The International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR), is an intergovernmental organization of African countries in the African Great Lakes region, established in 2006 and comprising of 12 countries in the African Great Lakes Region established to promote peace, security, stability and development.
Member States include Angola, Kenya, Burundi, Central African Republic, Republic of Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, Rwanda, Sudan, Tanzania, Zambia and Republic of South Sudan.
