United Nations Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (Kinshasa)
Eoin Young
23 July 2008
At its weekly press conference of 23 July 2008, MONUC called on armed groups in eastern DRC to end the suffering of the peoples of the Kivus by respecting the Goma Acts of engagement. MONUC also noted the progess of the Amani Programme in relation to the work of the Joint Committee on Peace and Security and its subsidiary bodies, which is now treating essential basic problems relating to the disengagement plan in particular.
In addition, other positive progress was recorded at the political level and on the ground, with a reduction in armed clashes between the signatories to the Goma Acts of Engagment. Humanitarians also have better access to vulnerable populations, thanks to the reinforcement of MONUC troops in insecure areas in the Kivu provinces.
But progress however remains very slow, as was noted one month ago by Mr. Alan Doss, Special representative of the UN Secretary General in the DRC.
Despite the efforts of all the actors engaged in favour of peace, six months after the end of the Goma Conference the civilian populations in both Kivu provinces continue to be the subject of serious exactions and human rights violations of all kinds.
Incidents continue to be reported, and a tension persists between the various armed forces. A resulting climate of fear persists within the civilian populations, preventing the return home of more than one million vulnerable people.
Consequently, MONUC firmly reiterates the urgent call launched by Mr. Doss one month ago to all the signatory parties of the Goma Acts of Engagement so that they prove their real will, through concrete acts, to put an end to the suffering of the peoples of the Kivus.
They must cease once and for all at paralysing the process, through their full participation in the follow up work of Conference bodies, and to desist from armed confrontations or provocative gestures that violate the cease fire.
MONUC also called on all the signatory parties to abstain from acts of human rights violations against civilians, in particular reprisals under unacceptable pretexts of collaboration with one or other armed group, government forces or MONUC.
Meanwhile it was announced that Ross Mountain, Deputy Special Representative of the UN Secretary General in the DRC, is on joint mission to North Kivu since 22 July 2008 with DRC Planning Minister Olivier Kamitatu.
The aim is to respectively evaluate the implementation of the Amani Programme, the Support Strategy on Security and the Stabilisation Plan for eastern DRC.
During their visit, they will meet with provincial authorities and various United Nations representatives and other partners. The Stabilisation Plan aims at accompanying the consolidation of peace and the reconstruction process in the eastern provinces.
Multiple projects form part of the plan, such as the rehabilitation of priority roads, police stations and other basic infrastructure aimed at reinforcing the authority of the State.
Yet these projects are more than simple rebuilding works, but constitute genuine tools aimed at boosting the consolidation of peace, and to create income generating activities.
In both Kivu provinces, the projects were conceived in particular to support the Amani Programme, the peace programme launched after the Goma Acts of Engagement. Today, Ross Mountain and Olivier Kamitatu will travel to Masisi on the Saké-Masisi road which is undergoing important renovation works.
During the three next months this project will offer employment to a thousand plus people living along the road. In addition, the rehabilitation of the Rutshuru - Ishasha road should start quickly, and thus offer new income generating opportunities for the people living close to this road.
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