Great Lakes lawmakers pledge action on terrorism, conflicts

Lawmakers from the Great Lakes region on Wednesday vowed to back tough measures to contain terrorism and eruption of conflicts that threaten long-term stability and development in the region.

The legislators at a forum in Nairobi stressed that punitive legislation, public engagement and youth empowerment were crucial to fight security threats effectively.

"The scourges of terrorism and conflicts have undermined peace, stability and economic growth in the Great Lakes region. We need a collective approach to tackle insecurity in this region," said Ekwe Ethuro, Speaker of Kenyan Senate.

Ethuro is the current President of the Forum for Parliamentarians from the Great Lakes Region that was formed in 2008 to advance political stability, harmonious coexistence, good governance and economic development.

Ethuro noted that countries in the great lakes region are grappling with technical and human resource deficiencies that have compromised national security.

"Countries require a vibrant security force with capacity to detect and act on threats like terrorism, transnational crime and ethnic skirmishes," said the speaker, adding that lawmakers from the region will prioritize good governance, empowerment of vulnerable populations and economic development to avert civil strife.

There is need for countries in the great lakes region to unite in order to combat terrorism and civil wars effectively. Kenya's Foreign Affairs Minister Amina Mohammed noted that weak institutions, poverty, marginalization and poor leadership have undermined the war against terrorism and conflicts in the great lakes region.

Countries in the great lakes region have signed a comprehensive pact to promote peace, security and development.

Mohammed stressed that strong political leadership is crucial to find long-term solution to conflicts in Democratic Republic of Congo, South Sudan, Somalia and Central Africa Republic. Endi