Bukavu, 23 February 2011 – The Public Information Division of the United Nations Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUSCO) met with local Non Governmental Organisations NGOs on 23 February during which they exchanged views on the Mission's mandate.

The meeting in Bukavu, the provincial capital of South Kivu, enabled the participants to gain more knowledgeable of MONUSCO's activities in light of the current challenges, among which are insecurity, human rights violations and other acts of violence, as well as the Mission's support to the Government for the country's stabilization.

The debates were constructive and they focused not only Mission's mandate, but also on the Stabilization and Reconstruction Plan for Eastern DRC, known by the French acronym STAREC. This Plan is backed by the International Security Stabilization Support Strategy in Eastern DRC (ISSSS) developed in 2008-2009, and designed to consolidate the region's political achievements.

Following these exchanges it was agreed that more meetings of this nature be organized, and be opened to other sections of MONUSCO to participate.

Earlier in the week, the Public Information Division had a similar meeting which attracted some 70 students from the

"Université Evangélique en Afrique".

Biliaminou Alao/ MONUSCO