Kinshasa, 12 August 2009 - After a 48 hour visit to the DRC, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton left Kinshasa late yesterday afternoon for Abuja, Nigeria, the next leg of her African tour. Prior to leaving the DRC, Ms. Clinton flew to Goma where she took part in a number of activities and met with MONUC peacekeepers.
Accompanied by MONUC Chief Alan Doss, MONUC Force Commander General Babacar Gaye and a high-powered delegation, Ms. Hilary was met at Goma airport by the DRC President’s Special Envoy, Ambassador Ngwej and local dignitaries.
The US Secretary of State worked on a tight schedule during her brief visit that started with an hour long bilateral meeting with President Joseph Kabila, to whom she highlighted the need for empowering Government in the struggle against impunity and violence against women. The US Secretary of State also took the opportunity to reiterate the US Government’s willingness to assist the DRC in the formation of a republican army.
Immediately afterwards, she visited the internally displaced persons camp of Mugunga I before visiting HealAfrica, a centre that provides healthcare to rape victims. On the occasion, the US Secretary of State condemned in the strongest possible terms the acts of sexual violence committed in the DRC.
She described them as crimes against humanity and announced US support to the struggle against this plague, pledging US$20 million to assist victims. A round table meeting involving key stakeholders in the struggle against sexual violence in both Kivu provinces as well as the United Nations was held.
Denouncements were made, including the fact that some of the people who commit heinous crimes such as rape go unpunished and are even promoted to higher positions within Government institutions.
To wind up her Goma visit, the US Secretary of State visited the heliport of MONUC’s Indian and South African Aviation units where she was received by MONUC senior officers and a peacekeeper guard of honour from various contingents based in North Kivu. She then interacted with MONUC military and civilian staff, and she commended for their commitment to peace in DRC.
The US Secretary of State was briefed by MONUC North Kivu Brigade Commander General Bipin Rawat on the efforts made by MONUC Forces in North Kivu province; she was also briefed on MONUC civilian activities in terms of civilian protection.
Ms. Clinton had earlier received an indepth update on MONUC activities and challenges from Mr. Doss during her Kinshasa-Goma flight; In Goma she dedicated her MONUC visit primarily to meetings with peacekeepers and civilian staff members.
Her warm half-hour meeting with MONUC staff, as well as representatives of UN agencies, funds and various programmes in North Kivu was the final stop before returning to Kinshasa with her delegation.