Kisangani, 21 September 2012 - In Kisangani, Province Orientale, the International Day of Peace on 21 September 2012 was used as an opportunity to focus on the issue of peace, which is lacking dearly in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.

A town hall on the theme of "Peace in Eastern Congo: Challenges and Outlook for the Future" was organized by the Public Information section of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the DRC (MONUSCO) with the participation of several personalities of the region, including local administrative and military authorities, leaders of political parties, members of civil society, representatives of youth associations, as well as MONUSCO staff members.

The highlights of this celebration included a presentation on the historical background of the Day, followed the UN Secretary-General's message read by the Head of Office of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUSCO), Helder De Barros. A poem contest for the school children of Kisangani, the provincial capital, titled "Poems for Peace" organized by the Public Information office in the run up to this celebration, culminated with the announcement of the results during the International Day of Peace. Several prizes were awarded for the most inspiring poems.

In his speech for the day, the Governor ad interim of the province, Ismaël Arama Diama, depicted a grim picture of the security situation in Province Orientale, and even in eastern DRC as a whole. Similarly, in her speech, Claudine Bela, a representative of the civil society, also painted a gloomy picture of the situation in eastern DRC.

Codjo Houegniglo/ MONUSCO