‘Disturbing level’ of violence in DRC, says UN
KINSHASA: The security situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) continues to be a major source of concern, with violence in the Kasai provinces, in the western part of the country, reaching “disturbing” levels, the UN Security Council says.
Presentinga report of the secretary-general on the situation in the Congo, under-secretary-general for peacekeeping operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix, who recently visited the country, urged the council to support the government and people to preserve the gains of the past 17 years.
“The current political impasse, the rising insecurity, and worsening human rights and humanitarian situation require a concerted response from regional and international partners,” Lacroix said.
“This must aim to help to create the conditions for a successful transition and the holding of free, fair and inclusive elections,” he stressed, with a nod to a political agreement signed last year which specified that elections would be held by the end of this year.
The agreement – facilitated by Conférence Episcopale Nationale du Congo (Cenco) mediators, and reached in the capital, Kinshasa, on December 31, – allowed President Joseph Kabila to stay in power beyond the end of his term.
Lacroix said implementation of the agreement “remains largely inadequate”.
“At a time when the DRC is at the midpoint of its transition, it is more necessary than ever for national political actors and international partners to remobilise the political agreement.”
Lacroix underscored his commitment “to ensuring that Monusco delivers on its core mandated objectives efficiently and effectively” while responding to the changing situation on the ground.
Monusco (the UN Organisation Stabilisation Mission in the DRC) is undergoing a strategic review, which will probably result in shifts in its structure and mandate.
Amid the political impasse, the focus in the country is on rising insecurity, with particular concern over violence in the Kasai provinces, and a recent increase in inter-ethnic violence there.
“Disturbing reports of human rights violations and abuses continue to be received on a daily basis,” Lacroix said.
Dozens of mass graves have been reported so far, and the national investigation efforts are “slow,” he said.
Between May and June, the number of displaced persons in the country increased by 26% to 1.3 million, according to UN figures.
Noting that he visited the country last month, Lacroix said he had stressed the need to prioritise political means to address the situation in the Kasais.
He also stressed the UN’s focus on ensuring that those responsible for the killing of UN human rights workers, Michael Sharp and Zaida Catalan, are brought to justice.