Pact on Security, Stability and Development in the Great Lakes Region

The pact, signed by eleven countries of the Great Lakes Region, aims at providing a legal framework governing relations between its signatories, through additional protocols and programmes of action in the following areas : non-aggression and mutual defense, democracy and good governance, judicial cooperation, pevention and punishment of the crimes of genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity and all forms of discrimination, struggle against the illegal exploitation of natural resources, specific reconstruction and development zone, prevention and suppression of sexual violence against women and children, protection and assistance to internally displaced persons, property rights and returning persons, management of information and communication. It also establishes follow-up mechanisms comprising the Summit, a Regional Inter-Ministerial Committee and a conference secretariat.