Kindu, 29 May 2011 – To kick start the Peacekeepers Day celebrations in Kindu today, a minute silence was observed for those who lost their lives while serving in the Democratic Republic of the Congo during the year. This was followed by the reading of the United Nations Secretary-General's message for the occasion. This year's ceremony attracted not only staff members of the United Nations Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the…
Bukavu, 30 May 2011 – In a quest to improve security in territories with deteriorating human rights violations, the Sud Kivu-based brigade of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUSCO) launched a military operation code named "Enduring Peace" between 23 and 28 May 2011. Operation "Enduring Peace" came at the heels of "Akikisha Usalama", another operation, which ended on 21 May. The main…
Kinshasa, 29 May 2011 - In a simple, but emotionally-charged ceremony on 29 May, the Russian Embassy in Kinshasa, unveiled a plaque in remembrance and honor of Major Vacheslev Budarin, died in service while serving as a Military Observer for the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUSCO). The late Major Vacheslav Budarin was deployed in the district of Ituri, in Province Orientale, in November…
Dongo, 25 May 2011 - In the villages of Munzaya and Enyele, with a population totaling 4,000 people, you hear young men marching and singing. A year ago that sound would have been different. Singing would have been followed by an attack by either the Lobaba or Boba populations in Dongo Sector (about 80 km south of Dongo city, in South Ubangi District, Equator province, DRC). However, the situation is different today, as these men no longer march…
Kinshasa, 27 May 2011 – The United Nations Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUSCO) celebrated Peacekeepers' Day in Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), on 27 May, two days ahead the official date for this occasion. The Highlights of the ceremony, which took place in the presence of several Government authorities, included a flag raising ceremony; the rendition of the Congolese national…
Kinshasa, 26 May 2011 – As a prelude to the celebration of Peacekeepers' Day this year, the United Nations Stabilization Mission in the Democratic of Congo (MONUSCO) inaugurated a visitor's hall at the Makala central prison in Kinshasa. The $23,682 hall was constructed with funds from MONUSCO's Quick Impact Projects (QIP). The hall will serve as a meeting area where inmates and visitors will be able to interact more easily. The QIP's funds were…
Goma, 30 May 2011 - The Disarmament, Demobilization, Repatriation, Reintegration, and Resettlement (DDR/RR) Section of MONUSCO is responsible for repatriating all foreign combatants in the DRC and assisting the government in demobilizing the Congolese combatants. The following is an exclusive interview with DDR/RR Director Gregory Alex. 1. What are the operational workings of the DDR/RR Section? DDR/RR has approximately 160 staff, most of whom…
Bunia, 25 May 2011 – The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) granted the Democratic Republic of Congo 2,929,735 dollars to bolster the country's resolve to combat sexual violence. The funds are to support the implementation of the Government's Stabilization and Reconstruction programme (STAREC), which has among its top priorities gender-based violence, especially sexual violence against women. More specifically, this…
Source: National Public Radio in "All Things Considered", Washington, 4 May 2011 Michele Norris talks with the head of U.N. Peacekeeping Operations, about sexual violence in the Congo and the impact of Rwanda on future peacekeeping missions. Transcript: ROBERT SIEGEL, host: The head of the United Nations peacekeeping is in Washington today to talk with U.S. officials about the future of Libya. Alain Le Roy says the U.N. must be ready at any time…
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…