MONUC spokesman Manodje Mounoubai indicated that Special Representative Alan Doss is in Goma for a 72 hour work visit. Today, he will take part in the ceremony to launch the rehabilitation work for Goma airport, which MONUC is supporting. The airport was seriously damaged by the eruption of Nyiragongo volcano on January 17, 2002.

“Alan Doss will continue his stay in the province with discussions with the civilian and military authorities and MONUC personnel on the latest military, security and humanitarian developments.”

Yesterday Tuesday, Mr. Doss had a discussion with the Minister for National Defence, where they undertook a review of the security situation in eastern DRC, as well as the support of MONUC to the FARDC, within the framework of various joint operations in progress.

Military situation

In Ituri, a joint operation of the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) and MONUC Forces was launched last week, against remaining rebel forces in the community of Walendu Bindi in Irumu territory. Towards the weekend, the FARDC had dislodged the rebels from nine important villages.

The authorities of the district, the FARDC commanders and the population greeted the support of MONUC Forces which consisted of transport, rations and medical evacuation of wounded FARDC soldiers, as well as aerial cover and fire support.

In North Kivu, the activities of operation KIMIA 2 continued in various areas, mainly in Rutshuru and Masisi territories. These operations were completed successfully and continue to destroy the command structures of the FDLR rebels.

In the two joint MONUC/FARDC coordination centres, meetings and planning activities of joint operations proceeded all last week.

In South Kivu, with the increase in the number of the ex-combatants wishing to join the process of disengagement in this province, it became necessary for MONUC Forces to support this process.

To this end, five centres of regrouping will be opened in the province. Luberizi centre was opened on 15 April last, while Kalehe centre will soon open, to be followed by centres in Kimombo, Kindu and Mwenga.

Visit of the UN Special Representative for children and armed conflicts

From April 14-21, 2009, Ms. Radhika Coomaraswamy, Special Representative of the UN Secretary General for children and armed conflict, made an official visit to the Democratic Republic of Congo at the invitation of the Congolese Government.

The objective of the visit was to evaluate the situation of children and to facilitate collaboration between the actors involved in children’s issues, in order to ensure a greater protection of children, within the context of the humanitarian crisis in progress.