Kisangani, 10 May 2013 – A few years after being launched, the DR Congo's Stabilization and Reconstruction program for areas emerging out of armed conflict (STAREC) – a program buttressed by an international mechanism known as the International Security and Stabilization Support Strategy (ISSSS)- has yet to yield palpable results in Province Orientale. The Joint Technical Committee (CTC), the structure for coordinating this program at the provincial level, met in Kisangani on 7 May 2013, seeking a new strategy to move the process forward.

The CTC meeting was a follow-up to four evaluation missions conducted in February 2013 by a joint STAREC/ISSSS technical team to the districts of Ituri, Upper Uele and Lower Uele. To start with, the different participating partners (United Nations agencies, MONUSCO, and members of the provincial security committee) heard the findings from those evaluation missions, and then proceeded to review the choice of strategic axes for recovery and development in areas within the province that are regarded as critical and priority areas for stabilization.

"A great deal remains to be done at the security and humanitarian levels, and also in terms of ensuring respect for human rights and promoting justice, securing the return and reintegration [of internally displaced persons], achieving and socioeconomic recovery , and advancing the fight against sexual violence," said the provincial Planning Minister, Armand Kasumbu, in his presentation at the meeting. "Province Orientale is frustrated that STAREC delivered enough results to relieve suffering for our population," he added.

The participants also heard a presentation on the on-going review of the International Security and Stabilization Support Strategy (ISSSS), followed by a discussion of the new approach and priority intervention areas for Province Orientale.
The meeting was co-presided by the governor of Province Orientale, Jean Bamanisa Saidi, and the head of the Kisangani office of the UN mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUSCO).

Codjo Houegniglo/MONUSCO