Uvira, 3 October 2012 – The United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) handed over the newly rehabilitated Baraka-Fizi-Minembwe road to the DRC Roads Authority on 19 September 2012.

The 22 km-long stretch was renovated by MONUSCO's Chinese military engineering unit as the second phase of the 135 km-long Baraka-Fizi-Minembwe road. The first phase of the project, 33 km, was delivered on 6 March 2012.

The Baraka-Fizi-Minembwe road is one of the three main links to several communities in Sud Kivu and its rehabilitation is part of the International Security and Stabilization Support Strategy (ISSSS). This road network represents one of the key aspects for the restoration of State authority and socio-economic recovery.

MONUSCO will also clearly benefit from this road, which will enable the UN mission to quickly link up its operational bases in Baraka and Minembwe.
The third and last phase of the rehabilitation project, which will cover the remaining 80 km, is expected to be completed in June 2013.

Laurent Sam Oussou/ MONUSCO