Republic of Congo: Annan praises reconciliation at weapons-burning ceremony

On the third leg of a trip to Africa, United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan today conferred with President Sassou Nguesso of the Republic of Congo and attended a ceremony for the destruction of weapons, one of the landmarks on the Central African country’s road to peace after a decade of bloody civil war.

“The process has been put in motion, now we must maintain it. That means progress must also be made on the other elements of the national programme for the disarmament, demobilization and reintegration of the former combatants,” Mr. Annan said at the ceremony, attended by the President and First Lady, and Nane Annan.

“I pray that the flame which will soon shoot forth from this burning pile in front of us may be the symbol of hope reborn for the Congolese people and an inspiration for all the peoples who continue to be the victims of armed conflict in Africa and elsewhere.”

The destroyed arms – 80,000 pieces of ammunition, 800 weapons and 500 grenades – were collected from former combatants by the Government with UN technical support and financial assistance from the European Union (EU).

In his talks with the President, who currently heads the African Union (AU), Mr. Annan discussed UN reform, the work of the Security Council, and developments in Darfur, Liberia, Iran and the June elections in the neighbouring Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

He also has meetings scheduled with opposition leaders, before attending a state dinner in his honour, hosted by the President.

Mr. Annan, who has already visited South Africa and Madagascar, leaves tomorrow for the DRC, where the UN is fielding over 16,800 uniformed personnel to back up a peace agreement while helping to organize national elections to be held in June.