Kisangani, 9 May 2016 – On Saturday, the Governor of Bas-Uélé province, Mr. Armand KASUMBU MBAYA held a working session with MONUSCO’s leadership in Kisangani during which Mr. Armand KASUMBU MBAYA requested MONUSCO’s support for the resolution of the transhumant Mbororo herders’ issue in his province as part of the restoration of State authority; he also requested assistance to acquire a fire-fighter truck.

Addressing the first issue, the Governor of Bas-Uélé province requested that the working Commission on the Mbororo transhumant herders’ problematic be revived; it was established by the former Governor of the ex-Eastern Province, Mr. Jean BAMANISA, with support from MONUSCO. The Commission wished to register the Mbororo herders and their cattle as well as to station them in the identified spaces with a view to averting conflicts between the farmers and herders, following devastation of crops or illegal occupation of lands. MONUSCO availed to the Governor of Bas-Uélé province all the documentation in its possession on the subject matter.

With respect to the restoration of State authority in the Bas-Uélé province, Mr. Armand KASUMBU MBAYA further requested the rehabilitation of infrastructures to facilitate smooth functioning of the Justice and Police sectors, pledging 10% financial contribution from the provincial government. He also requested MONUSCO’s support for the redeployment of the newly appointed president of the court and capacity building for the state actors to run those key institutions to ensure secured environment. Mr. Armand KASUMBU MBAYA thanked MONUSCO for facilitating the new President of the Buta High Court’s flight from Kinshasa to Kisangani and the submission the submission of of two QIP projects for the rehabilitation of the Justice and Police Premises with financial contribution from the provincial Government.

At last, Mr. Armand KASUMBU MBAYA requested a fire-fighter truck to help his province be served by Congo Airways. It is worth noting that the province sharing common border with Central Africa and South Sudan, remains land locked.

Guy Karema