Rwanda Parliamentary Forum “Amani” intends to determine the root causes hindering peace and sustainable development in the Great Lakes region.
“There are too many armed groups in the Great Lakes region, particularly in the eastern DRC. We want to know how these groups receive foreign support, how they dig and sell minerals for funding, “said Sen. John Damascene Bizimana, current president of the Amani Forum.
He made the remarks at a press conference that announced the workshop that focuses on the way to avoid violence and terrorism that spread armed groups in eastern DRC.
The workshop will be held at Rubavu (West), from 26 to 28 October 2012.
Parliamentarians from seven countries have confirmed their participation at the workshop. They include DRC, South Sudan, Uganda, Zambia, Burundi, Tanzania and Kenya.
Other delegates from the East African Parliament (EALA) and four other members of the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR) will be present at the meeting.
“Amani invited them to discuss the proliferation of light weapons and small arms. This is a project that began long before the birth of M23 in the DRC, “said Senator Bizimana.
He noted that the workshop will analyze the nature of armed groups in the region.
He regretted that UN group of Experts reports and NGOs saying they are insufficient and are not at the root of conflict.
It will also analyze the impact of armed groups in the population, with internally displaced persons and refugees abroad while also focusing on justice issues facing this challenge.
Ministers of defense, foreign affairs, refugees, and the UN agency for Refugees (UNHCR) will contribute to clarify the issue of armed groups.
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