Annan disquieted by rising factionalism in DR of Congo Government

In a report chronicling regression in the post-conflict Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan says the increasing factionalism in the Transitional Government is disquieting, the continuing reports of militia atrocities against civilians causes concern and the slowdown in normalizing relations with the country's neighbours is regrettable.

He also condemned today the shooting death of a South African peacekeeper Monday near Bukavu as an attempt to deter the UN Organization Mission in the DRC (MONUC) from fulfilling its mandate. His report also notes that on 12 February Maj. Peter Wachai of Kenya was killed when militias attacked a MONUC convoy near Katoto.

Eight months after the establishment of the DRC's Transitional Government, "the most crucial issue concerns the ability of the transitional leaders to act as a truly unified government and to overcome the persistent atmosphere of distrust," he says in a periodic report on developments in the country.

The government's first priority should be to pass legislation governing security sector reform, extension of the State administration, elections, disarmament, demobilization and reintegration, especially of the Mayi-Mayi militia into the national army, Mr. Anan says.

"I remain deeply concerned about continuing reports of massacres and other atrocities committed against civilians, including reports of horrendous widespread sexual violence being used as a weapon of intimidation and war," he says.

In the east, the Ituri Interim Administration has not developed into a credible governance structure and its backing from the Transitional Government "is only at the very symbolic stage," he says, adding that "MONUC cannot be expected to fill this vacuum."

He calls for an exchange of ambassadors between the DRC and its neighbours to help build a sustainable peace in Central Africa. The international community expects Rwanda and Uganda to ensure that the armed groups in Ituri and the Kivus do not receive support from their territories, he says.

"Peace is not yet irreversible," he says.