Nairobi, 9 October 2017 – Stability and security are coming slowly to the Great Lakes region, albeit with some major challenges still to overcome. It is in this context that Said Djinnit, Special Envoy of the United Nations Secretary-General for the Great Lakes region, today convened a meeting with members of the diplomatic corps of the European Union Union and Norway based in the region.

Among the issues discussed were the elections in Kenya and the on-going political dialogues in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Burundi. Also discussed was the central question of neutralization of negative forces in the region, especially the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), the Sudan People's Liberation Movement/Army in Opposition (SPLM/A-IO) and the ex-M23.

In his briefing, the Special Envoy mentioned the Eighth meeting of the Regional Oversight Mechanism for the Peace, Security and Cooperation Framework agreement for the DRC and the region, which will take place in Brazzaville, Republic of Congo, on 19 October 2017. The high-level meeting, which will bring together several heads of State and Government from the region will discuss measures to address outstanding issues related to the neutralization of negative forces, and also to review dialogue and political processes in the DRC, Burundi, South Sudan and the Central African Republic.

More than ever before, the Great Lakes region is at a cross-roads where the United Nations is called upon to work hand in hand with the donor community and regional organizations. The following diplomats took part in today’s meeting with Special Envoy Said Djinnit: Ralf Heckner, Swiss Ambassador, Kenya; Susan Eckey, Norwegian Ambassador, Uganda; Robert Hovde, Norwegian Counsellor, Uganda; Elisabeth Magnes, attachée to the UN, EU Delegation, Kenya; Kercan Joachim, Program Manager for the Great Lakes Region, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Switzerland; Patrick Dupont, Political Counsellor, EU Bujumbura Delegation; Noëmi Ral, First Secretary, Belgian Embassy, Kenya; and Hans Raadschilders, Coordinator, Great Lakes Regional Programme, Netherland Embassy, Rwanda.