Economic Community of the Great Lakes Countries (CEPGL)

Communauté Economique des Pays des Grands Lacs

Established: By convention signed by the heads of state of the member countries on September 26, 1976, in Gisenyi, Rwanda.

Purpose: To promote regional economic integration; to increase security and welfare for the region; to facilitate political, cultural, technical, and scientific cooperation among the members; and to contribute to the strengthening of national sovereignty and African unity.

Headquarters: Gisenyi, Rwanda.

Principal Organs: Conference of Heads of States, Council of Ministers and State Commissioners, Consultative Commission, Specialized Technical Commissions, Permanent Executive Secretariat.

Web site: None.

Executive Secretary: Gabriel Toyi (Burundi)

Membership (3): Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda.

Official Language: French.

Origin and development. The first proposal for the creation of an organization concerned with the social, cultural, economic, and political problems of the Central African subregion ...