Democratic Republic of the Congo Prime Minister Judith Suminwa Tuluka has arrived in Tanzania to participate in the first Women's Parliamentary Conference for the Great Lakes Region. The conference, running from November 2 to 5, brings together women legislators and regional leaders to discuss peace, security, and development. Suminwa was received at Julius Nyerere International Airport in Dar es Salaam by Tanzania's Minister for Communication and Information Technology, Angellah Jasmine Mbelwa Kairuki.
The conference, organised by Tanzania's Parliament in collaboration with the Forum of Parliaments of the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (FP-ICGLR), has approximately 250 delegates expected to attend. These include women parliamentarians from 12 member states, parliamentary leaders, representatives of regional organisations, civil society groups, and development partners. Participating countries include Tanzania, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, Burundi, Uganda, Kenya, Angola, Zambia, Sudan, South Sudan, the Republic of the Congo, and the Central African Republic.
The gathering is being held under the theme, "For a Peaceful and Developed Great Lakes Region." It comes as countries across the region continue to face challenges involving armed conflict, insecurity, displacement, and competition over natural resources. Organizers say the meeting will provide a platform for women legislators to strengthen cooperation and contribute to regional responses through parliamentary leadership and diplomacy.
According to the Congolese Prime Minister's Office, Suminwa is expected to speak on the role of women in inclusive governance, parliamentary diplomacy, and the search for lasting solutions to conflicts in the Great Lakes region. Her participation also offers an opportunity to strengthen cooperation between the DRC and other countries in the region. Discussions are expected to focus on women's contributions to conflict prevention, mediation, and peacebuilding.
The conference will also explore the use of parliamentary and legislative tools to promote security and stability, and the integration of gender perspectives into economic and development policies. Representatives of regional institutions, including the African Union, the East African Community, and the Southern African Development Community, will attend alongside civil society organizations and international development partners.
Tanzania's President Samia Suluhu Hassan was announced as the conference's Guest of Honour ahead of the gathering. The event is expected to provide a regional platform for women parliamentarians to exchange experiences and develop practical proposals on issues affecting communities across the Great Lakes region. This platform will enable women leaders to share their perspectives and contribute to regional decision-making processes.
The conference aims to promote peace, security, and development in the Great Lakes region by empowering women parliamentarians to take a more active role in regional decision-making. By bringing together women leaders from across the region, the conference seeks to foster greater cooperation and coordination on issues affecting the region. The outcome of the conference is expected to contribute to more effective regional responses to the challenges facing the Great Lakes region.
Key points
- The conference aims to promote peace, security, and development in the Great Lakes region.
- Women parliamentarians from 12 member states are attending the conference.
- The event is expected to provide a regional platform for women parliamentarians to exchange experiences and develop practical proposals.
