Goma, 19 May 2011 – The United Nations Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUSCO) Civil Affairs Section has just ended a three-day public awareness campaign from 12 May which was to encourage peace among local communities in Goma, the capital of Nord-Kivu province, and in particular among those along the road between Sake and Masisi.

Both Sake and Masisi are approximately 50 km apart, and are located in the south-and north-west of Goma respectively. They are surrounded by lush hills and farms. Masisi is the administrative capital of the territory, which bears the same name. It was in this beautiful landscape that Government forces and troops loyal to General Laurent Kunda's led National Congress for the Defense of the People (CNDP) were locked in one of the fiercest battles for years, thus depriving the entire region from peace and tranquility.

In March 2009, a cease-fire agreement signed between the Government and armed groups led to the cessation of hostilities and a gradual return of mpeace.

It is within this context that as part of the International Security and Stabilization Support Strategy for Eastern DRC (ISSSS) and the Government's Stabilization and Reconstruction plan (STAREC) for territories emerging from armed conflicts, that MONUSCO's Civil Affairs section launched the campaign to consolidate peace efforts in the region.
Even as a number of public infrastructures which included offices had been restored, the efforts have so far proved insufficient to attract a massive return of the local population and a reinstatement of public authority.

The Mission's sensitization campaign was therefore designed to help restore confidence among the communities in the region and eventually entice the people to return to their villages.

Sylvestre Kilolo/ Radio Okapi/ MONUSCO