Kinshasa, 22 may 2013 – The United Nations Secretary-General's Special Envoy to the Great Lakes Region of Africa, Mary Robinson, met with Congolese civil society representatives in Kinshasa on Tuesday for an exchange of views on the Peace, Security and Cooperation Framework for the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Region, which was concluded and signed in Addis Ababa on 24 February 2013.

On her previous visit to the DRC in April, the Special Envoy described this Framework as an "agreement of hope", which provides the Congolese with a good opportunity to turn the page on a history of constant conflicts, which has brought nothing but misery and grief to thousands of Congolese, particularly women and children. "All parties must recognize that the suffering of women and children in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo has gone on for too long," the Special Envoy told the 18 civil society representatives, 17 of them women, who came to listen and share their views with her at the headquarters of the UN Stabilization Mission in the DRC (MONUSCO) in Kinshasa.

The civil society leaders said they were concerned about the applicability of this peace agreement, which was signed by 11 countries of the region, including the DRC.

"The Framework, you say, is an 'agreement of hope', but the enemies of peace are watching. So, we urge you to stand strong on your principles in order to secure firm commitments for its implementation. You must be vigilant," a woman warned. Another participant said he was worried that the Framework did not include sanctions to be imposed on the countries signatories to the agreement who would fail to honor their commitments.

Ms. Robinson explained to her interlocutors that the agreement will be respected only if everyone plays his part, and that includes all 11 signatories to the agreement, as well as the Congolese national authorities, and civil society. "I do need your help and support. As you can see, it is the first time that the United Nations has appointed a Special Envoy to this conflict. The focus of my concern for this Framework is that it works for the Congolese people. As Special Envoy, I will hold every person to account. I want you, civil society, to hold your Government to account," Ms. Robinson said.

Mary Robinson will join the United Nations Secretary-General tomorrow Wednesday, 22 May, as Mr. Ban Ki-moon begins an official visit to the DRC, together with the Work Bank President, Jim Yong Kim.

Penangnini Toure/MONUSCO