Joseph Tshimanga / MONUC
At the weekly MONUC press conference of 17 December 2008, Alan Doss, Special Representative of the UN Secretary General in the DRC, evoked the difficulties experienced during 2008, in the implementation of the Acts of Engagement, but also of the recent developments which give hope for a resolution to the conflict in eastern DRC. He also stressed the importance of the support of the international community in the fight against socio-economic problems.
For Mr. Doss, there were many reasons for hope and encouragement in the past year: the Nairobi communiqué, the Conference on Peace, Security and Development in the Kivu provinces and the signature of the Goma Acts of Engagement by the armed groups and the government.
"Unfortunately, these promising signs did not end in a real progress on the ground, in particular in North Kivu. The situation worsened with the rupture of the ceasefire in October by the Congrès National pour la Défense du Peuple (CNDP)," he said.
On the humanitarian level, the consequences of the crisis in eastern DRC are disastrous for the population, deplored the Special Representative, denouncing the new exactions by CNDP troops in Kiwanja.
"I asked Mr. Nkunda to put an end to these abuses and violations against the population, and I asked the government to help prevent the activities of other armed groups in North Kivu, including the FDLR, who break the ceasefire and make exactions."
The reemergence of violence in Ituri district was also a concern for MONUC.
"Fortunately the situation has been largely controlled by the FARDC, with the support of MONUC," recognized Mr. Doss, while welcoming the "increasingly promising" security situation in South Kivu, where the implementation of the disengagement plan continues, within the framework of the Amani programme.
Despite the difficulties and disappointments, Mr. Doss believes that "2008 finishes on a note of hope."
"The bilateral Joint Commisson between the DRC and Rwanda has made significant progress, marked in particular by a spirit of openness to tackle the problems which have for too long harmed the good relationship between these two countries."
Perspectives
Furthermore, Mr. Doss pointed out that the true battle will remain that of the economy, even after the stabilization of the situation in North Kivu.
The fight against poverty, the opening up of certain provinces, the restoration of the Rule of Law and the fight against sexual violence remain great concerns for MONUC and the civilian populations.
"Despite of the catastrophic humanitarian situation in North Kivu, we should not neglect the remainder of the country," declared Mr. Doss, as he appealed for more effort from the international community, who should "always remain at the side of the DRC government to support it in its efforts against socio-economic problems.
"Even if all the problems will not be solved straight away, we must all direct ourselves towards the future, and cement the problems of development, because the population waits for action from their own government and the international community," Mr. Doss underlined.
Reinforcement of MONUC Forces
Mr. Doss recalled to the press the process of reinforcement of MONUC Forces, in accordance with UN Security Council resolution 1843 of 20 November 2008, authorizing the temporary increase in manpower of military personnel and police force units.
"It is not simply question of the number, but more especially the capacities, and that constitutes our first criteria in the selection process," he announced, specifying that "MONUC has the right to choose any nationality, as it is currently the case in the Mission where about sixty countries are represented."
On the situation in Kiwanja in North Kivu, where exactions are being perpetrated by CNDP troops against the civilian populations, Alan Doss condemned these "exactions, arrests and harassment attributed to the CNDP, and stressed that he had approached Laurent Nkunda with the concerns of MONUC, inviting the CNDP present in the zone to help to protect the civilian populations."
The Special Representative once again insisted on the responsibility of all those who make these exactions: "it is true that MONUC has a role to play in this zone, but ultimately the responsibility for the protection of the population reverts to the Maï Maï, PARECO, FDLR, and all armed groups, including the security forces."
Concerning the United Nations Group of Experts report, which implicated Rwanda with assisting the CNDP, and further implicated the DRC government in supporting the FDLR, Alan Doss said: "This independent report was submitted by a United Nations Group of Experts directly reporting to the Security Council, and not the UN Secretary General. These experts have the ability to say what they think on the basis of their own investigation."
"The report contains important information that we must all study. It is true that most of the report concentrates on the disagreements between the DRC and Rwanda, but other countries are implicated. MONUC is also criticized in the report, and I'm giving it my full attention," Mr. Doss concluded.