The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Rwanda and Burundi have relaunched a regional economic bloc that is seen as a key step in restoring peace and stability in the turbulent Central African region.
The Great lakes Countries Economic Community, known under its French acronym CEPGL, was created in 1976 to ease trade and free movement of people in the three countries.
”The relaunching of the CEPGL today shows the determination of our three countries to strengthen peace and security in our region,” Rwanda’s Foreign Affairs Minister Charles Murigande said late on Tuesday.
”United we will make our region more powerful, and the government of Rwanda is committed to make this union a reality,” he told addressing foreign affairs ministers from the other two partner states.
CEPGL collapsed in 1994 following years of conflict and brutal wars in the region.
”It is time to work hand in hand and build a better future for our respective populations,” said the DRC’s Mbusa Nyamwisi.
Belgium and the European Union contributed to the community’s relaunch and Louis Michel, the EU aid commissioner announced a €50-million ($67,96-million) grant to support it.
CEPGL has three key institutions, the Economic and Development Bank of Great lakes countries, the Energy of Great Lakes, both based in the DRC, and the Institute of Agricultural Research and Zoology in Burundi. – Reuters