Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Burundi
On November 30, 2025, the handover ceremony at the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR) took place in Bujumbura, at the premises of the institution’s National Secretariat, marking the transition from outgoing Executive Secretary Ambassador João Samuel Caholo to the newly appointed Dr. Mubita Luwabelwa. This event brought together representatives from various countries and was an opportunity to reaffirm commitments to peace and development in the Great Lakes region.
During the ceremony, His Excellency Édouard Bizimana, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration, and Development Cooperation of Burundi, opened the proceedings with a speech marked by gratitude. He expressed his appreciation for this significant meeting and highlighted the beauty of Bujumbura, particularly the richness of Lake Tanganyika, a precious asset for Burundi and its neighbors. Referring to the 9th Ordinary Summit of the ICGLR held in Kinshasa, he emphasized the determination of member countries to strengthen peace and security in the region. Bizimana also paid tribute to Ambassador Caholo for his service and congratulated Dr. Luwabelwa on his appointment, while highlighting the challenges that lie ahead, including the need to embody the fundamental values of peace and development.
His Excellency Eduard Bizimana, representing the Government of Burundi, addressed recommendations to the new Executive Secretary, including:
– Promote dialogue and consultation at the level of the Executive Secretariat of the Affiliated Centers;
– Ensure that statutory meetings are held, in consultation with the Presidency of the ICGLR and the Troika;
– Seek the approval or guidance of the Presidency of the ICGLR and the assessment of the Troika for important decisions or missions to be carried out;
– Seek to establish priorities and pay greater attention to the vision and objectives of the Organization, in particular peace, stability, and development in the Great Lakes Region;
– As peace and development are closely linked, particular attention should be paid to regional integration projects.
Speaking next, Dr. Mubita Luwabelwa approached his new role with great humility and clear determination. He emphasized that the history of the ICGLR does not begin in the organization’s offices, but in the communities that nurture hopes for a better future, despite the conflicts. Dr. Luwabelwa acknowledged the challenges ahead and affirmed that the work of the ICGLR relies on collective partnership and the mobilization of member states.
He outlined a number of key priorities for his term, including institutional reform, which aims to make the organization more efficient and agile, and the consolidation of peace and security, which are considered prerequisites for any progress. Dr. Luwabelwa also stressed the importance of proactively combating the illegal exploitation of natural resources, insisting that these resources must benefit the well-being of the people.
The need to mobilize resources to ensure sustainable development was also central to his speech. Dr. Luwabelwa promised to seek new and dynamic partnerships while calling for the commitment of Member States. He concluded his speech by reaffirming his willingness to take responsibility for the challenges ahead, arguing that success should be measured not by bureaucratic indicators, but by concrete improvements in the lives of citizens.
This handover ceremony thus stood as a powerful moment of collective commitment to a better future for the Great Lakes region. The speeches given by senior officials resonated as a call for unity and determination, emphasizing that concerted action remains essential to overcoming contemporary challenges. This moment symbolized the hope for a future based on peace, security, and sustainable development for the millions of people living in these countries.