Kinshasa — The President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Joseph Kabila, received on 2 May 2008, the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General (SRSG), Alan Doss, and Ambassadors of the United States, Great Britain, France, Belgium, South Africa and Angola.

During the meeting, the SRSG brought up the situation in the east of the DRC, the perspective of development, the Government's Reconstruction Program, air safety and local elections.

Situation in the East

The Special Representative noted the progress achieved since the Goma Conference and the establishment of structure of the Amani Program. The International Community remains committed in the DRC and in restoring peace and stability in the east of the country, he said. He also informed the President about efforts to mobilize partners to fund the UN strategy for the security and stabilization of the east of Congo.

The SRSG declared that the hardest part of the work of the Joint Technical Commission on Peace and Security began, with the issues of disengagement, DDR, the "brassage" and the return of refugees and IDPs. Mr. Doss reiterated MONUC's commitment to assuring that the ceasefire is respected, to supporting the FARDC as well as to the international facilitation of the Goma Process.

Mentioning the Nairobi Communiqué, the SRSG informed the President about political and diplomatic efforts of the International Community as well as MONUC support in helping the FARDC's deployment in zones agreed upon in the joint plan of FARDC and MONUC. Mr. Doss also reminded of MONUC's approach for the progressive and targeted military activities aimed at minimizing any negative impact on the civilian populations.

Development

Mentioning the people's expectations as regards the reconstruction of the country, he mentioned the International Community's willingness to review, together with the government, the priorities of the five domains of the Reconstruction Program and said that partners were ready to support the government in increasing the living standard of the population.

Air Safety

Regarding air safety, the Special Representative noted that this is a complex situation and that partners are ready to review palliative measures within a workgroup.

Local Elections

Finally, the Special Representative mentioned the Security Council's support to the local elections.

In response, President Kabila declared that the Amani Program translated his vision for the stability in the east of the country and asked for assistance from partners so as to reach his objectives for that program. About the Nairobi Communiqué, the President stated that the efforts to sensitize the FDLR were yet insufficient. Two initiatives, as he said, should be undertaken prior to military operations against the FDLR: the meeting in Rome to persuade Europe- and US-based leaders of the FDLR to disarm and return home; and the meeting in Kisangani in May 2008. He said that chance should be given to everyone to return home.

Finally, President Kabila noted that regarding the five domains of the Reconstruction Program, the Congolese authorities and the population were very frustrated for the many unkept promises.