Goma, 24 March 2009 - Alan Doss, Special representative of the UN Secretary General in the DRC, met with South Kivu governor Louis Muderhwa Chirimwami. The two officials had an hour long discussion on several subjects of mutual interest, in particular the fast implementation of agreements signed the previous day in Goma between the DRC Government and the armed groups.

Governor Muderhwa and Mr. Doss also discussed the progress achieved, and the next stages in the eastern DRC stabilization programme.

They also discussed the joint action by the DRC Armed Forces (FARDC) and MONUC to put an end to the criminal activities of the FDLR rebels in South Kivu, and to persuade the latter to lay down their weapons and repatriate to Rwanda. The Governor and the Special representative underlined the fruitful cooperation between the provincial authorities and MONUC.

During his visit to Goma, the Special representative also met Mr. Désiré Kamanzi, President of the CNDP and Mr. Jean Munyapenda. They discussed the calendar under consideration for the implementation of the agreement between the government and the CNDP, as well as the necessary elements to support reconciliation and the consolidation of peace in the province.

Mr. Doss also made a stopover in South Kivu where he made a brief tour of the rehabilitation of the Miti-Hombo road.

Accompanied by MONUC Force Commander General Babacar Gaye, and MONUC South Kivu Brigade Commander General Ghulam Ghumman, Mr. Doss visited part of the work on the section of the road which crosses the Kahuzi-Biega Park towards Hombo.

The commander of the MONUC Uruguayan engineering company and project chief explained to the delegation the challenges and the progress made on the rehabilitation project.

The rehabilitation of the road is part of the stabilization activities undertaken by MONUC in partnership with the Congolese Government. These projects aim at improving the living conditions of the population, to create employment and restart the local economy which has been stricken by conflict over the past 15 years.

During his visit, Mr. Doss had a short discussion with a guard from the Congolese Institute for the Conservation of Nature (ICCN) at Kahuzi-Biega National Park. This park is of major importance for the safeguarding of the environment, and the possible revival of tourism in the region.