Inter-Parliamentary Union peace drive in the Great Lakes region
IPU Secretary General Martin Chungong has recently concluded a mission to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Rwanda, as part of the IPU’s commitment to the peace process in the Great Lakes region.
His visit aimed to encourage parliamentary diplomacy as a vital instrument for building trust, promoting regional stability and supporting cooperation between the two neighbours.
The visit comes on the back of the peace agreement signed between Rwanda and the DRC in Washington D.C., United States, in June 2025.
In Kigali, Mr. Chungong held talks with President Paul Kagame and the Senate President at the time – Mr. François-Xavier Kalinda, focusing on ways to reinforce dialogue and parliamentary cooperation.
During his stop in Kinshasa, the IPU Secretary General met Mr. Jacquemain Shabani Lukoo Bihango, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior, Security, Decentralization and Customary Affairs, Senate President Mr. Sama Lukonde,and National Assembly Speaker Mr. Jean-Claude Isaac Tshilumbayi. Discussions centred on how parliaments can build trust, promote transparency and help address the ongoing humanitarian crisis in eastern Congo.
Humanitarian action will also be the focus this week at the 151st IPU Assembly in Geneva. Delegations from both countries are attending and are expected to continue talks through the IPU’s good offices.
Civilians and UN officials who fled due to the clashes cross in Kigali, Rwanda, January 2025. ©Cyrile Ndegeya / Anadolu via AFP
