Zambia

Great Lakes Region Adopts Security Procedures

Foreign Affairs Minister, MULAMBO HAIMBE, says the adoption of regional disarmament procedures...

By Joshua Jere Zambia24 Published 18 October 2026, 17:33 CAT • 5 hours ago 1 min read

By Justine Akakulubelwa

Foreign Affairs Minister, MULAMBO HAIMBE, says the adoption of regional disarmament procedures will be a major step towards ending the threat posed by combatants in the Great Lakes Region.

Mr. HAIMBE says the framework will establish the first harmonised regional standards for disarmament, demobilisation, repatriation and reintegration of foreign combatants and associated persons.

He says the initiative will also strengthen cross-border security cooperation and provide a coordinated approach to addressing armed conflicts that threaten regional stability.

This is contained in a speech read on his behalf by Defence Permanent Secretary, MAAMBO HAMAUNDU.

Lakatips

This was at a High-Level Ministerial Meeting for the adoption of the regional standard operating procedures document on disarmament, repatriation and reintegration, in Lusaka.

Speaking at the same event, United Nations Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for the Great Lakes Region, HUANG XIA, said the adoption of regional disarmament procedures is critical to ending the activities of armed groups threatening peace and security in the region.

He has however stressed that the success of the framework will depend on strong political will, adequate resources and coordinated implementation by participating countries.

And Uganda’s Minister of State for Defence and Veteran Affairs, HUDA ABASON, has urged regional governments and international partners to strengthen intelligence sharing, cross-border cooperation and institutional capacity to ensure the disarmament framework delivers lasting peace.

Source: Zambia24 — Read more