UN
United Nations Peacekeeping
3 Mar
2009
Jean-Marie Guéhenno received by President Kabila in Kinshasa
The United Nations Under Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations, Jean-Marie Guéhenno, held talks with President Joseph Kabila regarding the progress achieved by the DRC Transition last Friday in Kinshasa.
At the end of the talks, Mr. Guéhenno underscored that substantive progress was achieved, but there are still a number of tasks to accomplish in the areas of ''DRC's reconstruction, the formation of integrated armed forces, security, expansion of State authority across the country and the organisation of the elections''. Mr. Guéhenno noted that there was great determination to bring the transitional process to fruition. ''I have high hopes that in the next few months, with the effective participation of all the Congolese and a great deal of political will, there will be the commitment of both the Congolese and the International Community for peace and prosperity to return to the DRC'', he declared.
However, he further said, there were still factors likely to jeopardize the gains of the Transition thus far, among which the presence of the ex-FAR and Interahamwe armed groups in eastern DRC. He expressed the hope to see the disarmament process of the armed groups accelerated, indicating that the current political context was propitious for such progress.
The disarmament of foreign armed groups holds great importance since it will positively impact on the regional relations, Mr. Guéhenno highlighted. He said that once this issue is resolved, the Great Lakes countries would be able to take advantage of the numerous opportunities offered them to initiate positive cooperation for the economic development and prosperity of Africa.
Besides the Head of State, Mr. Guéhenno held talks with Azarias Ruberwa and Arthur Z'Ahidi Ngoma, respectively vice-presidents for the Political, Defence and Security Commission and the Social and Cultural Commission. He previously held talks with the minister of Foreign Affairs, Antoine Ghonda on the same subjects.
The UN Chief of Peacekeeping Operations arrived in Kinshasa on 20 May on a regional tour, and was due to fly Saturday to Uganda before visiting Ituri and South Kivu. Thereafter, he is due to travel to Rwanda and South Africa, the last leg of his tour.
However, he further said, there were still factors likely to jeopardize the gains of the Transition thus far, among which the presence of the ex-FAR and Interahamwe armed groups in eastern DRC. He expressed the hope to see the disarmament process of the armed groups accelerated, indicating that the current political context was propitious for such progress.
The disarmament of foreign armed groups holds great importance since it will positively impact on the regional relations, Mr. Guéhenno highlighted. He said that once this issue is resolved, the Great Lakes countries would be able to take advantage of the numerous opportunities offered them to initiate positive cooperation for the economic development and prosperity of Africa.
Besides the Head of State, Mr. Guéhenno held talks with Azarias Ruberwa and Arthur Z'Ahidi Ngoma, respectively vice-presidents for the Political, Defence and Security Commission and the Social and Cultural Commission. He previously held talks with the minister of Foreign Affairs, Antoine Ghonda on the same subjects.
The UN Chief of Peacekeeping Operations arrived in Kinshasa on 20 May on a regional tour, and was due to fly Saturday to Uganda before visiting Ituri and South Kivu. Thereafter, he is due to travel to Rwanda and South Africa, the last leg of his tour.
