Great Lakes Region (GLR) of Africa: Provisos for Financing Regional Investment Projects

The Round Table Conference on the implementation of the Pact on Security, Stability and Development in the Great Lakes Region took place in Bujumbura–Burundi from 5-6 November 2009. A self-constituted Group of Friends (GOF) of the Great Lakes Region was established in December 2003 with the support of 27 countries and 10 international organizations. A successful round-table attracted more than one hundred government, donor and regional organizations’ representatives, with a view to review progress and remaining challenges in the GLR, reaffirm political support of Member States for implementing the Pact, present project proposals for unfunded priority areas to the GoF, re-engage the Group of Friends, other partners and stakeholders to reaffirm their continued support of ICGLR and initiate dialogue for the mobilization of the required financial and technical resources.
The region is rich with resources with DRC minerals values at 21 trillion USD. The Inga Dam alone can produce 42,000 megawatts of electricity, enough to supply the region. The challenge for investors is the peace and security situation. To challenge this, the following projects have been designed. Disarmament and repatriation of all armed groups in eastern DRC is a priority. Disarmament of armed pastoralists and promotion of sustainable development with a comprehensive environment and climate change program needs to be set up. Mine-Action in the GLR is a priority. Fight the proliferation of SALW, transnational crime and terrorism crimes against humanity, war crimes and rape as a weapon of war, and the fight against impunity and development of border zones and promotion of human security are all prerequisites for foreign direct investment. The proposed modalities of resources mobilization are selling bonds and securities by development banks in Africa to oil and mineral rich nations.
See paper here and presentation here