The ICGLR Conference Secretariat, through its Parliamentary Forum, organised the 1st Women Parliamentarians’ Conference in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, from 2–5 November 2026, bringing together parliamentarians from its 12 Member States to discuss peace, security and development in the Great Lakes Region.
Today’s final panel was a storytelling moment, one worth beginning with “Once upon a time…”
Under the theme “Twenty Years after the Signing of the Pact on Security, Stability and Development in the Great Lakes Region: Taking Stock of Progress in Peace, Security and Development,” the ICGLR Deputy Executive Secretary, Ambassador Yasir Mohammed, the first ICGLR Executive Secretary, Ambassador Liberata Mulamula, and the Secretary General of the ICGLR Parliamentary Forum, Ambassador Deo Mwapinga, took participants back to the origins of the organisation.
“Twenty years after the signing of the Pact, significant progress has been made. Yet disparities remain between the commitments undertaken and the realities on the ground. Bridging this gap must remain our collective priority”
Amb. Yasir Mohammed, ICGLR Deputy Executive Secretary
A few key takeaways:
- Ownership, commitment and political will: The ICGLR was a groundbreaking initiative. Regional leaders chose to take responsibility for their shared challenges, sit together despite their differences, and establish a platform for open dialogue and cooperation.
- From a vision to concrete mechanisms: The Pact responded to the challenges of its time while establishing a legal and institutional framework for lasting solutions in peace, security and development.
- From commitments to implementation: Twenty years later, important achievements have been recorded, but gaps remain between what was agreed and the realities on the ground. Bridging these gaps requires renewed political will, accountability and collective action.
- The next 20 years: ICGLR Member States remain committed to the peaceful resolution of conflicts and to advancing a more peaceful, stable and prosperous Great Lakes Region.
“We have enough mechanisms in place. Let us make them work.”
Amb. Liberata Mulamula, Special Envoy For WPS to the AU
“As we look to the next 20 years, our responsibility is to build on what has already been achieved, consolidate the foundations laid by those before us, and carry forward their vision through concrete actions and lasting results.”
Amb. Deo Mwapinga, Secretary General, ICGLR Parliamentary Forum
And perhaps the panel’s most powerful image was not only in the stories told, but in who helped moderate them.Alongside the moderator, Amb Thobias Makoba, was 11-year-old Akoth Okeyo, co-moderating a discussion on the ICGLR’s past 20 years. A beautiful symbol of the generation the next 20 years must deliver for.
“As we celebrate the past 20 years, we, the younger generation, are looking forward to the next 20 years — a future of peace, security and opportunities for every child in the Great Lakes Region”
11-year-old Akoth Okeyo
As we reflect on how far we have come, our eyes, minds and hearts are already turned towards the next 20 years.