The Special Representative of the UN Secretary General in DRC, Ms. Leila Zerrougui, made a working visit to the East of the country.

After her stop at Beni and then at Bunia, Ms. Leila Zerrougui arrived in Goma on Friday, 13 November 2020.

Immediate after her arrival, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General traveled to Munigi to visit the Prosecutor's Office at the Nyiragongo Peace Tribunal, which was built in 2019 through a quick-impact project carried out by the Justice Support Section of MONUSCO Goma.

The sixth territory of North Kivu, bordering Goma to the north, Nyiragongo is also the smallest territory in North Kivu in terms of land area (333 km2). 

The territory of Nyiragongo practically merges with the boundaries of the chiefdom of Bukumu. It is considered one of the refuges of the bandits who create a climate of insecurity in Goma.

By providing this jurisdiction with infrastructure, MONUSCO is contributing to combating impunity and building social peace. This building now provides a decent working environment for magistrates and secretaries of the Public Prosecutor's Office, who were hitherto accommodated in the Munigi Chiefdom building.

• Nyiragongo Territory: MONUSCO equips the floor with work furniture

In their words of welcome to the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and her delegation, the Chief Prosecutor and the President of the Peace Tribunal in turn thanked the UN Mission through Ms. Leila Zerrougui and pleaded for the construction of a courthouse and offices for the judges. The Mission’s Justice Support Section is currently working on such a project.

Among other things, Ms. Leila Zerrougui recommended the judicial authorities to ensure equal application of law to all those subject to trial in order to guarantee the principle of equality of all before the law and  so allow citizens to have confidence in the justice system.

Ms. Zerrougui suggested that they seek to address the root causes of social conflicts which, she said, are caused by struggles for control of land and natural resources. In conclusion, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General urged the Congolese partners to make justice an effective tool for resolving social conflicts.