Great Lakes: Leaders Commit to Peace

A declaration of commitment to end conflict in Africa's Great Lakes region was signed on Saturday in Dar es Salaam by 11 heads of state, but the protocols for implementing the declaration are yet to b

A declaration of commitment to end conflict in Africa's Great Lakes region was signed on Saturday in Dar es Salaam by 11 heads of state, but the protocols for implementing the declaration are yet to be worked out.

"Sustained effort is now needed," Olusegun Obasanjo, Nigeria's president and current chairman of the African Union, said.

He witnessed the signing along with UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan.

The meeting, known as the International Conference on Peace, Security, Democracy and Development in the Great Lakes region, marked the first time that all heads of state around the region had officially met on these issues.

"Leaders who have been divided for most of the last decade have come together for peace," Annan said.

He added that a regional approach to ending conflict was essential because individual peace processes would remain incomplete.

Leading up to the summit, national delegations produced a 14-page declaration that purportedly represents "a common vision" in the causes of conflict throughout the region, as well as on how to end it.

Still, Annan said, the declaration was based on compromise.

"No one has got everything they wanted from this process, but" he said, "everyone has got what they need: a real chance for peace, stability, democracy and development in a vast region - a region that is home to millions upon millions of people who deserve a better future.

"People of the region now have every reason to hope," he added.

From here, the 11 core countries are to begin a series of inter-ministerial meetings starting early in 2005 to agree on protocols and programmes of action to implement the declaration. The process is to culminate in a second summit of heads of state planned for later next year in Nairobi.

"It is in the months to come, as you strive towards collecting the dividends of peace through a comprehensive security, stability and development pact, that your commitment will meet its greatest test," Annan told the delegates.

Among other issues, the Dar es Salaam Declaration commits the leaders to build a Great Lakes region that is open to other regions of the continent "by building our cooperation on priority areas - peace and security, good governance and democracy, economic development, and regional, humanitarian and social issues".

Donors for the regional process, known as the Group of Friends, said they would "continue to assist" in seeking a solution to end the cycle of violence and poverty. However, speaking on behalf of the group, Canadian Senator Peter Stolley, said, "We are your partners in this process and we also have expectations.

"Sceptics may say the declaration is just a piece of paper. But political will for action and implementation can make a change."

UN Integrated Regional Information Networks

    Most Popular
  • Is 'The Last Supper' worth watching? Audience and critics weigh in

    Is 'The Last Supper' worth watching? Audience and critics weigh in

    Faith-based films often receive mixed reactions, and The Last Supper is no exception. The movie attempts to bring a fresh perspective to one of the most iconic moments in Christian history, but does it succeed? Some reviews from critics and audiences provide insight into its strengths and shortcomings.

  • ‘The Chosen’ Season 5: The darkest season yet—What to know before watching

    The wait is over—The Chosen is back with its fifth season, and this time, things are getting intense. The new episodes dive straight into the final days of Jesus’ life, covering some of the most emotional and dramatic moments in the Bible. If you’ve been following the series, you already know that The Chosen isn’t just about retelling familiar stories—it’s about bringing them to life in a way that feels real.

  • Massacres in Syria: Over 1,000 dead, including Christians and Alawites

    Syria’s coastal regions have been devastated by a series of massacres, with reports indicating that over 1,000 people—many from Christian and Alawite communities—have been killed in brutal attacks. Entire families have been wiped out, and survivors are fleeing in search of safety as sectarian violence escalates.

  • Kim Sae-ron and Wheesung: The tragic irony of Korean society and the principles of happiness

    Not long ago, the media was in an uproar over actress Kim Sae-ron’s passing. Just months before, the same people who had relentlessly criticized her for her DUI incident were now expressing sympathy, saying, "The world was too harsh on her." The irony is impossible to ignore.

  • Newsboys move forward as a quartet after Michael Tait’s departure

    After more than a decade as the lead singer of the Newsboys, Michael Tait has officially parted ways with the band, marking a significant shift in the Christian rock group’s lineup. The remaining members—Jeff Frankenstein, Jody Davis, Duncan Phillips, and Adam Agee—have assured fans that they will continue forward, embracing a new season of music and ministry.