Kananga, 25 August 2012 – Some 250 youth association leaders participated in a workshop organized by the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUSCO) in Kananga, Kasaï Occidental province, between 6 and 9 August 2012.

The objective of the workshop was twofold: to sensitize participants on MONUSCO's recent mandate under the United Nations Security Council Resolution 2053 issued on 27 June 2012; and to explain the Mission's role in the organization of the upcoming provincial, municipal and local elections in the five municipalities that make Kananga, the capital of this province.

The participants were instructed on the extent and nature of MONUSCO's efforts towards establishing lasting peace in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and building public institution's capacity. In this context, MONUSCO implemented several quick impact projects in the province such as building a hall for the high court in Kananga along with bridges throughout the province.

The workshop was made possible thanks to the collaboration with the provincial executive Secretariat of the Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI, the French acronym) and a non-governmental organization known as "Actions intégrales du Développement pour les Droits de l'Homme (ADDH)". "Workshops like this one are intended for youth leaders like you to amplify its messages to your peers," the chief of MONUSCO office in Kananga, Abdou Diouf, said in his opening remarks.

Lansana Dabo/ MONUSCO