Security Council delegation meets with Congolese President Kabila
A United Nations Security Council delegation met today with President Joseph Kabila of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) in Kinshasa in a bid to jump-start a solid political process for peace in Africa's troubled Great Lakes region.
The Council's mission to Central Africa, led by Ambassador Jean-Marc de La Sablière of France, arrived in the Congolese capital Tuesday and met today with President Kabila and other members of his government, according to a UN spokesman in New York.
The discussions covered the expected establishment of the transitional government and the remaining obstacles for reconciliation in the DRC, as well as the volatile situation in the eastern part of the country - chiefly in the Kivus and the war-torn Ituri district.
The spokesman said that grave human rights violations as a direct consequence of the ongoing fighting and impunity were also discussed, as Council members stressed their constant attention to - and support for - the DRC political process, and the relations with neighbouring countries.
The Council delegation then met with the Comité de Suivi, comprised of representatives signatories of last December's Pretoria Agreement.
Earlier Wednesday, Council members heard a briefing on the deteriorating humanitarian situation in eastern DRC due to the ongoing fighting in Kivus and Ituri, according to the spokesman. The delegation reiterated its demand for the immediate cessation of fighting in the Kivus, for the withdrawal to positions previously agreed, and for a meeting between the parties involved.
Tomorrow morning, the mission is scheduled to leave for Bunia, where it will meet with the UN Organization Mission in the DRC (MONUC), the newly authorized multinational emergency force, members of the Ituri Pacification Commission and representatives of all the Iturian communities.
Meanwhile, MONUC announced plans to convene a meeting today of delegates from rival armed groups in Bunia - in part to explain the purpose and mandate of the multinational emergency force that has been deployed to the town to help end weeks of bitter ethnic fighting.
The Mission reported that the current strength of the multinational force is about 250 personnel, and deployment is continuing to increase through the week.
MONUC described the situation in Bunia as "quiet but volatile," adding that, while no fighting has been reported between Hema and Lendu militias, further clashes could not be ruled out.