Kenya and the African Union have called for strengthened regional cooperation and increased inclusion of women and youth in peacebuilding efforts to address complex security and humanitarian challenges in the Great Lakes Region.

• The call was made during a five-day International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR) Consultative Forum and Great Lakes Round Table Meeting in Nairobi.
• Key figures included Kenya’s Principal Secretary for Gender Affairs and Affirmative Action, Anne Wang’ombe, and African Union representative on Women Peace and Security, Ambassador Liberata Mulamula.
• Emphasis was placed on the need for coordinated political action and inclusive governance, asserting that military interventions alone are insufficient for lasting peace.