By Kitab Unango, SSMJ Juba, Wednesday (November 6, 2024) - In a landmark event for regional cooperation, South Sudan hosted the 29th meeting of the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR) Regional Committee on the Fight Against Illegal Exploitation of Natural Resources. Representatives from ICGLR member states, including Kenya, the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Central African Republic, Burundi, Angola, Uganda, Sudan, Tanzania, and host country South Sudan, gathered in Jub
By Kitab Unango, SSMJ
Juba, Wednesday (November 6, 2024) - In a landmark event for regional cooperation, South Sudan hosted the 29th meeting of the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR) Regional Committee on the Fight Against Illegal Exploitation of Natural Resources.
Representatives from ICGLR member states, including Kenya, the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Central African Republic, Burundi, Angola, Uganda, Sudan, Tanzania, and host country South Sudan, gathered in Juba for two days of critical discussions on strengthening collaboration to combat illegal mining.
The meeting also saw participation from diplomats, development partners, and civil society groups, including the Women’s Forum, marking a historic first for South Sudan as a host and signaling a growing commitment across the region to address illegal exploitation.
As the newest ICGLR host nation, South Sudan stepped into a leadership role, determined to support the regional initiative to manage resources sustainably and secure a brighter future for its people.
“This is a historic day,” Ambassador Juma Dino Amoi, representative of the ICGLR National Coordinator for South Sudan, announced at the opening session. “It symbolizes our readiness to take an active part in regional efforts to protect our shared resources and foster development.”
The conference addressed the substantial challenges of illegal mineral trade that have fueled conflict, environmental degradation, and economic instability in the Great Lakes region.
Scholastica Mwau, representative of the ICGLR Executive Secretary, emphasized the importance of "robust cross-border coordination and commitment," highlighting that efforts to curb illegal mining would be insufficient without joint regional efforts.
Mwau's call to action brought to light the reality that many African nations face: unregulated mineral trade undermines governance, fosters corruption, and denies communities their rightful economic benefits.
Dr. Cosmass Pitia, Undersecretary in South Sudan’s Ministry of Mining, expressed the urgent need to transform the region’s mineral wealth from a liability to a strength.
“Minerals should be a blessing for our people, a pathway to prosperity,” Dr. Pitia stated, “yet they have become a curse. The way forward requires us to take control of these resources and make sure they benefit the communities that own them.”
His words resonated with attendees, urging the region’s leaders to take concrete steps to turn mineral wealth into an advantage rather than a source of instability.
Delegates from each country emphasized the need for comprehensive, unified strategies to disrupt illegal mining networks that span multiple borders.
They discussed strengthening the ICGLR’s Regional Certification Mechanism, a program designed to verify the legal origin of minerals from mine to market.
While the mechanism has made some progress, many countries face challenges in enforcing certification standards, particularly those dealing with internal conflicts or limited regulatory resources.
Without a reliable system to track and verify mineral sources, illegal supply chains flourish, allowing smuggled minerals to enter international markets undetected.
One of the most pressing concerns raised was the limited capacity of African nations to add value to their natural resources.
Currently, the region exports a large portion of its mineral wealth in raw form, which results in missed opportunities for job creation and economic growth.
Dr. Pitia noted, “We are exporting our wealth without fully benefiting from it. This practice leaves our youth without opportunities and allows external actors to profit more than the communities who own these resources.”
To support these objectives, member states agreed on the need for investment in infrastructure and skills training to foster a minerals sector that serves local communities.
Representatives outlined a vision for a thriving, well-regulated mining industry across the region, one that would provide stable, legal employment and transform mineral wealth into development opportunities rather than a driver of insecurity.
South Sudan’s hosting of the event served as a symbol of hope and resilience in a region often associated with hardship.
By bringing ICGLR members together on its soil, South Sudan took a significant step toward reaffirming its commitment to regional stability and sustainable development.
The outcomes of this meeting, while largely aspirational, laid the foundation for several actionable steps. The representatives agreed on the need for heightened information sharing, stricter border controls, and increased resource allocation for monitoring and enforcement.
Furthermore, the proposal suggested establishing regional partnerships to provide educational programs and training for local communities, thereby equipping them with the necessary skills to participate in the legal minerals trade.
A final resolution of the committee emphasized the importance of continued engagement and regular evaluations of progress in combating illegal mineral exploitation.
The delegates pledged to convene every two years to evaluate advancements, exchange optimal methods, and explore new obstacles. The hope is that, through sustained cooperation, the Great Lakes region will turn its mineral wealth from a source of strife into a pathway to prosperity.
As the meeting concluded, delegates from across the region expressed optimism about the renewed sense of purpose and solidarity that South Sudan’s hosting of the ICGLR meeting had inspired.