Mbandaka, 20 November 2013 – The United Nations Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUSCO) donated, on Thursday 31 October 2013, photovoltaic solar kits to local military and civilian courts in Mbandaka, Equateur province to facilitate their work on a regular basis since the city of Mbandaka is lacking in electrical power.

The donation consists of a kit of 17 solar panels, 6 regulators, and three converters worth $25,000 to meet the needs in electrical power for Mbandaka court of appeal as well as military courts.

The equipment was donated within the framework of MONUSCO quick impact projects. Implemented in partnership with “Association des Femmes Juristes du Congo (AFEJUCO)”/Congolese Female Lawyers’ Association, the current project is part of MONUSCO’s support to the peace consolidation efforts in the D.R. Congo through promoting the rule of law.

When receiving the kits, the Court of Appeal chief in Mbandaka, François Nkiele Makemo, expressed gratitude for MONUSCO’s contribution, which he said will help improve the quality of the work done by the magistrates.

MONUSCO/Equateur’s acting chief appealed to the courts officials to use the equipment to good purposes.

The current project was initiated jointly with Mbandaka civilian and military authorities, after noting that the computer kits donated by UNDP and MONUSCO in March 2011 within the framework of the Spanish Project PACTE (Projet d’Appui Conjoint à la Transition en Equateur/Joint Support Project to the Transition in Equateur) could not be used due to shortage of electrical power, which had a negative effect on the smooth administration of Justice.

The ceremony was chaired by the provincial Minister of Home Affairs, Michel Liyele wa Liyele.

Jean-Tobie Okala/MONUSCO