On the occasion of the 20th Ordinary Meeting of the Regional Inter-Ministerial Committee of the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR) held in Lusaka, on October 19, 2026, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and Development Cooperation, His Excellency Ambassador Édouard Bizimana, reaffirmed Burundi’s attachment to the ideals of peace, security, stability, and sustainable development in the Region.
In his address, the Head of Burundian diplomacy extended his gratitude to the Government and people of Zambia for the warm welcome accorded to the Burundian delegation. He also commended the leadership of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the current Chair of the ICGLR, as well as the work accomplished by the National Coordinators and the Executive Secretariat of the organization.
The Minister highlighted the strategic importance of the Pact on Security, Stability and Development in the Great Lakes Region, which he described as an essential framework for the prevention and peaceful resolution of conflicts, the building of trust among States, and the promotion of sustainable development for the benefit of the region’s populations.
Referring to the regional security situation, he acknowledged the persistence of some tension hotspots while welcoming the progress recorded in the search for peace, notably the Doha and Washington Agreements for the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the initiatives for the settlement of the conflict in Sudan, as well as the democratic progress observed in several countries across the region.
The Minister recalled that Burundi remains engaged in efforts aimed at durably restoring peace in eastern DRC and fully supports regional and international mediation initiatives conducted under the auspices of the African Union.
Addressing the humanitarian dimension, he highlighted the assistance provided by Burundi to Congolese refugees, emphasizing that this solidarity reflects the values of fraternity, humanism, and dignity which form the basis of regional cooperation within the ICGLR.
Regarding the participation of women and youth in peace processes, the Minister recalled that Burundi hosted, from August 10 to 12, 2026, the fifth edition of the Continental Dialogue on the “Youth, Peace and Security” and “Women, Peace and Security” agendas. This meeting, initiated under the leadership of His Excellency President Évariste Ndayishimiye, current Chairperson of the African Union, helped strengthen continental reflection on inclusive participation in peacebuilding.
In conclusion, His Excellency Ambassador Édouard Bizimana called on Member States to expedite the implementation of recommendations arising from statutory meetings and to regularly honor their contributions to the functioning of the organization. He reiterated Burundi’s steadfast commitment to the objectives of the ICGLR and offered his best wishes for the full success of the deliberations of the 20th Ordinary Meeting of the Regional Inter-Ministerial Committee.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministère des Affaires Etrangères du Burundi.