Global perspective Human stories

Annan encourages leaders of Rwanda, Uganda to continue pullout from DR of Congo

Annan encourages leaders of Rwanda, Uganda to continue pullout from DR of Congo

Secretary-General Kofi Annan today encouraged the Presidents of Uganda and Rwanda to continue the ongoing withdrawal of their respective troops from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and assured them of the United Nations' commitment to rapidly deploy military observers.

A spokesman travelling with Mr. Annan in Nairobi said that the two leaders, in telephone conversations with the Secretary-General, had reaffirmed their determination to effectively pursue the DRC peace process -- "provided the Kabila Government also lived up to its undertakings."

The Presidents also pledged their mutual cooperation "in the quest to restore peace and stability in the entire Great Lakes region and stated that any bilateral differences would be resolved through peaceful negotiations," the spokesman said in a statement.

The UN peacekeeping operation in DRC, known by its French acronym MONUC, has an authorized strength of 5,537 military personnel, including up to 500 observers, supported by specialists in human rights, humanitarian affairs, public information, child protection, political affairs, medicine and administrative support.