Photo: MONUSCO/Clara Padovan

Nord-Kivu, 17 October 2011 – As part of the activities aimed at supporting the restoration of the State Authority, MONUSCO with GIZ's (German Agency for International Cooperation) financial assistance, has turned over to the Congolese National Police Officers assigned to the newly built infrastructures along provincial major axes, equipments for the maintenance of law and public order.

The official handing-over of the equipments took place in Masisi on 17 October in a ceremony attended by the Nord-Kivu Vice-Governor, MONUSCO chief of office and GIZ representatives.

In his opening remarks, the Vice-Governor Lutaichirwa Mulwahale Feller thanked MONUSCO for its commitment to accompanying the Police efforts for civilians' protection and said German Government's gesture arrived just at the right time when the country is bracing for the upcoming elections.

For his part, the chief of MONUSCO office in Goma, Hiroute Guèbre Sélassié reiterated his commitment to MONUSCO for supporting the stabilisation programme for eastern DRC in favour of the territories emerging from the armed conflicts (STAREC): "we shall continue to provide our support to the stabilisation efforts as well as the protection of civilians."

In her concluding remarks, Ms Sélassié appealed to the Congolese National Police Force PNC, especially the officers who received appropriate trainings and equipments "to enhance local population's protection"

Clara Padovan/MONUSCO