Photo André Kambala Mujanayi. De dos, vue d'ensemble des participants. En haut à gauche, le chef de la Division des Affaires Civile de la MONUSCO, Richard Snellen, expliquant le message de paix sur le t-shirt.

Kananga, 16 November 2011 – A high-level delegation of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUSCO) from Kinshasa was in Kananga, Kasai Occidental province, on 16 November 2011 for a two-day visit during which they engaged political actors in ensuring peaceful elections. The delegation comprised of several MONUSCO officials, including Scott Campbell of the United Nations Joint Human Rights Office, Daniel Ruiz, Political Affairs Division, and Richard Snellen, of the Division of Civil Affairs.

Unlike in other parts of the country, Kasai Oriental has been generally calm during the pre-elections period, except in Kamonia and Mweka, where tensions were reported. Both towns are located in an area that experienced violence during the 2006 elections.

At a meeting with the provincial authorities in Kananga therefore the delegation discussed preventive measures that should be in place to avoid a situation as was the case in 2006.

The delegation subsequently met with leaders of political parties and representatives of civil society and discussed ways to preserve peace during this electoral period.

On the second day of the visit, the delegation, accompanied by MONUSCO's Head of Office in Kananga, Abdou Diouf, went to Mweka and met with members of the local Security Council.
During their meeting with the authorities here, the Director of the United Nations Joint Human Rights Office (UHJHRO) called on political actors to cultivate tolerance and to avoid using youths as agents of violence. His call yielded fruits as barely 24 hours after a youth forum was organized by the CENI with MONUSCO's support bringing together some 50 young people from political parties and civil society organizations.

André Kambala Mujanayi