KIGALI, Oct. 7 (Xinhua) -- Leaders of the four nations in the African Great Lakes region -- Rwanda, Uganda, Angola and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) -- on Wednesday committed to improving security cooperation.
During a regional virtual summit, the leaders discussed strengthening neighborly relations between the four countries and enhancing cooperation for peace and stability of the Great Lakes region.
Rwandan President Paul Kagame, Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, Angolan President Joao Lourenco and DRC President Felix Tshisekedi reaffirmed their commitment to cooperation in eradicating the "negative forces and armed groups" in the Great Lakes region, and condemned acts of violence orchestrated by the groups in the region, said a communique issued at the end of the summit, which reviewed the region's security situation.
They also reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening efforts to cut off funding sources for activities of the "negative forces," and to jointly fight against both regional and international mafia networks, which contribute to the illicit exploitation and trade of natural resources in the Great Lakes region, it said.
"Cooperation in fighting insecurity in the region is at the core of regional efforts in order for trade and investment to thrive across borders," Kagame told the summit, stressing the importance of stability in increasing trade and investment.
The leaders also agreed to set up a cross-border plan to strengthen surveillance and control measures in response to COVID-19 and other diseases with high risks to become epidemics, according to the communique. Enditem
