Banda, Burundi ex-leader discuss regional conflict

LUSAKA, Zambia, Thursday

Former president of Burundi Jean-Baptiste Bagaza and Zambian leader Rupiah Banda met today and discussed the security situation in the Great Lakes Region, ahead of next week’s summit.

President Banda, who is the chairperson of the International Conference on Great Lakes Region (ICGLR), held a closed-door meeting with Mr Bagaza at State House in Lusaka where they discussed various issues affecting the Great Lakes Region.

President Banda’s special assistant for press and public relations Mr Dickson Jere said President Banda told Mr Bagaza and his delegation that he would do everything possible during his chairmanship tenure to help find a lasting solution to various conflicts in the Great Lakes Region.

Mr Jere said President Banda thanked Mr Bagaza and his delegation for briefing him on the security situation in the Great Lakes region.

Great Lakes Region heads of state and government will hold a high-level meeting to be chaired by President Banda in Bujumbura, Burundi on 5th and 6th November, 2009 which is expected to help to raise funds for the implementation of the 2006 Pact on Security, Stability and Development.