Great Lakes leaders in Lusaka

Heads of State and delegates attending a Special Summit on The Fight of Illegal Exploitation of Natural Resources in Lusaka Zambia, front row, from left to Right Deputy Chairperson of African Union Commission(AUC) Erastus Mwencha, UN Deputy Executive Secretary Dr.Asha Rose Migiro, Namibia’s President Hifikepunye Pohamba, President Dr.Jakaya Kikwete, the host Zambia’s President Rupiah Banda, DRC President Joseph Kabila, Angolan Prime Minister, Republic of Congo’s President Denis Sassou Nguesso and Burundi’s President Pierre Nkurunzinza

From ASSAH MWAMBENE, Lusaka

The Special Summit of the Countries party to the International Conference on Great Lakes (ICGLR, has extended the Mandate of the outgoing Executive Secretary of ICGLR Secretariat, Ambassador Liberata Mulamula until December, 2011.

Ambassador Mulamula who headed the ICGLR Secretariat as the first Executive Secretary for the period of four years, was due to leave yesterday after the expiry of her four-year tenure in office.

The Statement issued at the end of the Summit, which was chaired by the Zambian President, Rupiah Banda said the one year extension was meant to give more room to other contestants to vie for the post.

Until yesterday, only two candidates had vied for the post. They were Mr. Hamuli Baudouin from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Ambassador Nureldin Satti from the Republic of Sudan.

Before joining the ICGLR Secretariat, Ambassador Mulamula was the Director of Multirateral Co-operation in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation. She also doubled as a National Co-ordinator for Tanzania on the ICGLR initiative.

The one-day Summit which was attended by six Heads of State from the region also re-affirmed their commitment to earnestly fight against illegal exploitation of the natural Resources in the region.

Tanzanian President, Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete is leading Tanzanian Delegation to the Summit.

Other Delegate included the Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation, Mr. Mahadhi Juma Maalim and Juma Malima, the Deputy Minister for Minerals and Energy and Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Ambassador Rajabu Gamaha.

The Summit was attended by President Rupiah Banda of Zambia, President Joseph Kabila of DRC, President Pohamba Ifikepunye of Namibia (Chair of the SADC), President Pierre Nkurunziza of Burundi, and President Denis Sassounguesso of Republic of Congo.

Presidents from Central African Republic, Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda were represented by high level delegates in the Summit.