The Ministry of Defence Permanent Secretary, Mr Maambo Haamaundu, has officially opened the Extraordinary Meeting of Chiefs of Defence Forces under the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region. The high level meeting brings together military leaders from member states to address growing security concerns in the region.
The meeting is focused on the deteriorating security and humanitarian situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Ongoing fighting in eastern DRC has displaced thousands of civilians and placed severe pressure on humanitarian operations. Regional leaders have raised concern over the continued suffering of vulnerable communities, particularly women and children.
In opening the meeting, Mr Haamaundu emphasized the need for collective responsibility and coordinated regional action. He said the situation in the DRC poses a serious threat not only to national stability but also to peace and security across the Great Lakes region. He urged defence chiefs to engage in open and practical discussions aimed at finding lasting solutions.
The Extraordinary Meeting provides a platform for defence forces to assess current security developments and review existing regional peace mechanisms. Discussions are expected to focus on strengthening cooperation, intelligence sharing and joint efforts to restore stability in conflict affected areas.
The International Conference on the Great Lakes Region continues to play a central role in promoting peace and security among its member states. The Chiefs of Defence Forces meeting is seen as a critical step toward addressing the crisis in the DRC and preventing further regional destabilisation.
The outcomes of the meeting are expected to guide future military and diplomatic engagement aimed at improving security and easing the humanitarian crisis in the Democratic Republic of Congo.