Kinshasa, 30 June 2016 - On the occasion of the commemoration of 56th anniversary of the Independence of the Democratic Republic of Congo, on 30 June 2016, MONUSCO extends its warm congratulations to the Government and people of the DRC and wishes them a happy celebration.

“Fifty-six years in the life of any nation constitute a significant milestone in which to assess the progress made over the past years and the challenges that remain to be addressed”.

“In line with its mandate, MONUSCO would like to reiterate its commitment support the authorities and valiant Congolese people in their efforts to meet these challenges both at the security and political levels, notably through its continued and strengthened collaboration with the FARDC in hunting down armed groups that sow desolation in the east of the DRC, and the consolidation of the democratic gains, the preservation of peace and the enhancement of stability through, inter alia, the organization of credible, transparent and peaceful elections in accordance with the Constitution which the Congolese people have freely adopted, ” stated Maman Sidikou, Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General and Head of MONUSCO.

The Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General has also taken this opportunity to appeal to all political actors, civil society and all the Congolese people in all their diversity to rise above their political differences and unite their efforts in order to, as the Congolese national anthem puts it, “keep moving boldly ahead and build, in peace, a country more beautiful than before.”