Activities of Secretary-General in Democratic Republic of Congo, 23-25 February

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon flew on Tuesday, 23 February, from Bujumbura, Burundi, to Goma in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

The Secretary-General started his visit to the Democratic Republic of the Congo in the displaced persons’ camp of Mungote in North Kivu Province.  He visited a community bakery, met with a women’s group and went to a school where children receive food assistance.

With the press, he stressed that the number of displaced people had never been higher in the world and that the international community needed to improve the way humanitarian assistance and development support were provided to ensure that no one was left behind.

He also met with rehabilitated child soldiers for a capoeira performance, as well as with Dr. Denis Mukwege, to whom he paid tribute for his work in support of women victims of sexual violence.

He then flew to Kinshasa where, the next day, the Secretary-General addressed the opening session of the Great Lakes Private Sector Investment Conference.  In his remarks, he said that for the region to reach its great potential, solving security issues would not be enough.  Root causes needed to be addressed on the basis of good governance and the rule of law.  (See Press Release SG/SM/17560.)

Throughout the day, the Secretary-General had a series of meetings with Democratic Republic of the Congo officials, starting with Prime Minister Augustin Matata Ponyo Mapon and Foreign Minister Raymond Tshibanda N'tungamulongo.

After a lunch with representatives of civil society, he met successively with members of the majority and the political opposition.

Lastly, the Secretary-General had a meeting, followed by a tête-à-tête, with President Joseph Kabila, during which he discussed issues related to cooperation between the Congolese forces and MONUSCO (United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo), as well as delays in the electoral process.

During a press conference in Kinshasa concluding his day, the Secretary-General said he was concerned about freedom restrictions in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and rising tensions surrounding the electoral process.  He urged all parties to engage in an inclusive political dialogue.

The next morning, on Thursday, 25 February, the Secretary-General left Kinshasa for Juba, South Sudan.