Activities of Secretary-General in Democratic Republic of Congo, 22-23 May

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon arrived in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo, from Mozambique, in the morning on Wednesday, 22 May.

In the Congolese capital, he was joined by the President of the World Bank, Jim Yong Kim, for a first-ever three-day joint visit to the Great Lakes region of Africa by the two leaders.  The aim of the visit to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda and Uganda was to support the implementation of the Peace, Security and Cooperation Framework for the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the region.  The Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for the Great Lakes Region, Mary Robinson, was part of this joint visit.

While in Kinshasa, the Secretary-General and the President of the World Bank held talks with President Joseph Kabila at the Presidential State House.  In remarks to the press upon conclusion of the meeting, the Secretary-General said that this was unprecedented that two Heads of two international organizations travel together for a same goal and mission.  He said they wanted to show their solidarity and their support to the people of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.  He said he was encouraged that President Kabila has decided to establish his own national oversight mechanism in accordance with the provisions of the Peace, Security and Cooperation Framework.

Later, Ban Ki-moon and Jim Yong Kim met Prime Minister Augustin Matata Ponyo and other ministers at the Hôtel du Gouvernement.  Then they went to the Palais du Peuple, where they met the President of the Senate, Léon Kengo Wa Dondo, Bureau and Chairs of the political groups, followed by a meeting with the Speaker of the National Assembly, Bureau and Chairs of the political groups.  They also met with representatives of civil society organizations at Hôtel du Fleuve.

Then, the Secretary-General and the President of the World Bank held a joint press conference with local and international journalists.  In his remarks to the press, the Secretary-General welcomed the extra $1 billion the President of the World Bank announced the same day to support social safety nets, cross-border trade, energy and essential infrastructure in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Great Lakes region.

Also that day, the Secretary-General met with leadership of the United Nations country team, including the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) leadership.  He also held a town hall meeting with United Nations staff based in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

That evening, President Kabila hosted a State dinner in honour of his guests.

On Thursday, 23 May, the Secretary-General and the President of the World Bank travelled to Goma, in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo.

In Goma, they visited the Heal Africa Hospital, where they met with victims of sexual violence.  Later, the Secretary-General and the President of the World Bank held a press conference at MONUSCO headquarters.  In his remarks, the Secretary-General said that he was angered by the stories and suffering that he heard and that he was determined to bring security and opportunity to those women and communities.

In the afternoon, the Secretary-General and the President of the World Bank flew to Kigali, Rwanda.