Senate Speaker Amason Kingi arrived in Juba, South Sudan on Wednesday, March 29, 2023 for the 13th Ordinary Session of the Plenary Assembly of the Forum of Parliaments of the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (FP-ICGLR). 

Speaker Kingi will on Thursday March 30, 2023 preside over the meeting of the Speakers of the Parliaments of the 12 States which are members of FP-ICGLR.

On Friday, March 31st, the Speaker will chair the Plenary Assembly which is the top organ of the Forum. 

The Plenary will discuss the report of the updated version of the draft resolution on the political, security and humanitarian situation in the Central African Republic (CAR), DR Congo, South Sudan and the Sudan.

It is expected the Plenary will adopt the report which was prepared during the 26th Ordinary Session of the Executive Committee which is the organ charged with the task of coordinating activities and the functioning of the Forum.

Mandera senator Ali Roba is leading the Kenyan delegation to the meeting and had the chance to chair meeting of the Executive Committee on behalf Speaker Kingi.

Senator Roba also led the delegation to the inauguration of the First Session of the Transitional National Legislature of the Republic of South Sudan that was presided over by President Salva Kiir Mayardit on Tuesday.

The key highlights of the meeting was the election of the Bureau of Permanent Committees of the FP-ICGLR.

Through a highly vigorous process, Kenya clinched the chairperson seat in two out of five committees of the Forum. 

Buuri MP Hon Mugambi Murwithania Rindikiri was elected the Chairperson of the Committee on Democracy and Good Governance.

Kiminini MP Hon. Maurice Kakai Bisau was also elected and will chair the Committee on Peace and Security. 

Kenya is also represented in other permanent committees of the parliamentary forum. 

They are the Committee on Economic Development, Natural Resources and Regional Integration where Senator Roba is a member.

Isiolo Woman Representative Hon. Mumina Gollo Bonaya is a member of the Committee on Humanitarian and Social Issues while Nominated Senator Hezena Lemaletian is a member of the Committee on Women, Children and Vulnerable Persons.

Membership of the Kenyan Parliament in these committees is fundamental in enhancing the country’s footprint in shaping and influencing the agenda on peace and conflict resolution in the Great Lakes Region. 

Its participation is crucial in bringing forth proactive and sustainable strategies that will strengthen economic development, democracy and integrate gender perspectives and mobilizing the requisite resources to support the work of the parliamentary forum.

The Plenary Assembly will culminate on Saturday, April 1st, 2023, when Speaker Kingi, the current President of the Forum, will hand over the presidency to the Speaker of the Parliament of South Sudan.