Kinshasa, 21 May 2013 - Mary Robinson, the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for the Great Lakes Region of Africa, has expressed her concern about the recent outbreak of fighting in locations near Goma, in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, while underscoring her strong support for all efforts underway at this time to bring peace and stability to the region. “The suffering and displacement of the people, especially women and children, in eastern DRC and beyond have gone on for too long and cannot be tolerated any further,” the Special Envoy said.
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By Ban Ki-moon and Jim Yong Kim
Africa’s Great Lakes region today has the chance to achieve something that has eluded its war-weary people for several decades. It can silence the guns, boost trust and trade between neighbours, educate millions of out-of-school children, empower women, and create economic opportunities that will help the countries forge a path to prosperity, good governance, and lasting stability.
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After concluding his visit to Mozambique on 22 May, the Secretary-General will travel to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which will be the first leg of a three day joint visit with World Bank Group President Jim Yong Kim to the Great Lakes Region of Africa.
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The UN Secretary-General appointed on Friday, 17 May 2013, Lieutenant General Carlos Alberto Dos Santos Cruz of Brazil as the new Force Commander of the UN Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo. General Dos Santos Cruz is replacing General Chander Prakash of India, who left in March at the end of his mission. General Dos Santos Cruz arrives in the DRC with a rich experience from many years at the service of his country, and also with peacekeeping as the Force Commander of MINUSTAH, the UN Stabilization Mission in Haiti, between 2007 and 2009.
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Goma, 15 May 2013 - The 135 strong Indian Formed Police Unit-2 (FPU) was honored with the United Nations Peacekeeping medal in appreciation for their service in Goma. The Medal Parade held at the FPU camp in Goma on 15 May 2013, was attended by the Deputy Police Commissioner of the United Nations Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUSCO), Jacques Desilets, as well as other senior MONUSCO officials and high ranking National Congolese Police (PNC) authorities. The Indian FPU has been serving in the Democratic Republic of Congo since November 2005.
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