Secretary-General, concerned at crisis in Democratic Republic of Congo,

 

to send senior representative to meet leaders in region

 

This is the text of a statement issued today by the Spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon:

The Secretary-General is deeply concerned about the ongoing crisis in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and its impact on the region.  He has decided to dispatch Haile Menkerios, Assistant Secretary-General for Political Affairs, on a special mission to the region.  Mr. Menkerios previously served as Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General for the Democratic Republic of the Congo.  Mr. Menkerios will depart for the region this evening.

Mr. Menkerios will consult with the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and other leaders in the region, as well as the country’s bilateral and multilateral partners, to find ways to resolve the immediate crisis and to address its underlying causes.  In carrying out his mission, Mr. Menkerios will coordinate closely with the Secretary-General’s Special Representative for the Democratic Republic of the Congo and with international partners currently engaged in initiatives to help resolve the crisis.

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For information media • not an official record