Deputy MONUC Force Commander Major General Adrian Foster paid a brief visit to Mbandaka on Saturday, 25 July 2009. Six weeks after assuming his new post in the DRC, the British General came to the provincial capital of Equateur to establish contact with his troops based in the province.

The second-in-command of MONUC’s peacekeeping Force was able to look at the Blue Helmets working conditions, and assess the overall security situation in the province, at a time when the UN Mission is preparing its troop redeployment from the west, to concentrate its strength in eastern DRC. General Foster was delighted with the calm prevailing in Equateur, although he had some concerns, especially the living conditions of the FARDC and other security forces.

After meeting and discussing with the head of MONUC’s Equateur office, General Foster took part in a patrol conducted by MONUC military observers to get a sense of their daily duties.

Before concluding his visit, the Deputy Force Commander of MONUC paid a courtesy visit to the FARDC’s 3rd Military Region. He delivered two important messages to the Congolese armed forces, emphasizing the need for any army, from the most senior officers to soldiers of the lowest rank, to show discipline and be above reproach in their conduct, and above all respect human dignity.

General Forster said clearly that there can be no lasting reform of the FARDC so long as these conditions are not met. He added that fulfilling these conditions will also determine the level of support from the international community.