Kofi Annan Calls for Democratic Development to Bring Peace to Africa’s Great Lakes Region
Africa: Annan Calls On Africans to Focus On Democracy, Development And Integration
December 18, 2006, AllAfrica.com

Kofi Annan praised “The Pact on Security, Stability and Development” that has been adopted in the war-torn Great Lakes region of Africa for it’s recognition of “issues related to peace and security,” that “also gives equal importance to democracy, good governance, economic development, regional integration and humanitarian issues.”  Annan said that democratic and economic developments are key components to bringing about peace in the region.  According to Annan, without these perquisites “peace and security will not be consolidated…”

Annan also recognized the progress in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Burundi, referring to the elections that have taken place over the past year.  He called on “international donors to ‘stay engaged’ in the region,” and that despite successful elections “many challenges lie ahead.”

The statements by Annan were made at the second summit of the International Conference for the Great Lakes Region, held in Kenya.  It marked “the largest ever fathering of African leaders at the UN Office in Nariobi,” including heads of state and government from seven regional countries.

Please Also see CCD’s coverage of the Congolese transition to democracy.