Mbuji-Mayi, 27 August 2013 – An awareness and information campaign conducted in five municipalities of Mbuji-Mayi, the administrative capital of the Eastern Kasaï province on the mandate of the United Nations Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUSCO) concluded on 27 August 2013.

Backed by the United Nations, the campaign was aimed at sensitizing the population in anticipation to the upcoming local elections. It was organized by the Consultation Framework for Civil Society Organizations in Eastern Kasaï in collaboration with the platform "Pool Action Gender and Elections" (PAGE), the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the provincial ministries of Planning and Home Affairs.

Participants to the sensitization meetings included provincial officials, leaders of political parties, police officers and members of civil society organizations.

The forum was instrumental not only in facilitating the opening of a social dialogue around issues of local interests but also in sensitizing participants on their role and responsibilities in regard to peace consolidation in Eastern Kasai..

The themes addressed by the forum related to local elections, decentralization, justice and local development. The various presentations helped participants better understand the modalities for public management as well as the mechanisms used for organizing local elections with a view to dispelling misunderstandings identified as the root causes of social and political tensions in this province.

The sensitization sessions are part of MONUSCO's efforts to ensure better understanding by the population of the UN Security Council Resolution 2098 (that sets forth the current UN Missions mandate) so as to improve collaboration among them.

François Tshibenji/ MONUSCO