Angola is expected to hold the presidency of the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR) for another two years, as Kenya withdrew its candidacy to take over the rotating presidency from January this year. This was announced by the Director for Africa and the Middle East at the Angolan Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Joaquim do Espírito Santo.
According to Joaquim do Espírito Santo, the renewal of Angola’s presidency is a recognition of the way it has been leading the regional organization, which has as its members Angola, Burundi, Congo, Kenya, the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Sudan, South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia.
Last week the Angolan Foreign minister, Georges Chikoti, announced that Luanda will host in February the summit of the ICGLR Heads of State and Government, where the mandate of Angola as well as its continuation at the head of the organization will be discussed.
Georges Chikoti added that the summit will also address issues related to conflicts in the region, namely in South Sudan, Burundi, the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and elect ICGLR’s new executive secretary and his deputy.
Source: ANGOP