Marylene Seguy / MONUC
On Saturday 28 February 2009, United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon met with Joseph Kabila, president of the Democratic Republic of Congo in Kisangani, capital of Province Orientale. After the meeting, Mr. Ban told the assembled media that one of the main subjects of discussion was the "issue of sexual violence in the DRC, and the need to tackle the culture of impunity."
Coming from Dar Es-Salaam in Tanzania, Secreatry General Ban Ki-moon landed at 9.25am at Bangoka airport in Kisangani.
For one hour at Bangoka airport, Mr. Ban spoke with Alexis Thambwe Mwamba, Congolese Minister for Foreign affairs, Christian Atoki Ileka, ambassador of the DRC at the United Nations, Alan Doss, Special Representative of the Secretary General in the DRC as well as Medard Autsai Asenga, governor of Eastern Province, in the presence of the South Korean ambassador to the DRC.
During the meeting, the political and security situation in the province was discussed.
Mr. Ban then went to the governorship of the province in Kisangani city centre, where he met Joseph Kabila, president of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Their meeting behind closed doors lasted some 90 minutes.
At the conclusion of this meeting, Mr. Ban held a press conference in front of Congolese and international media, where he said he was deeply affected by the violence which reigns in the country, and in particular by the sexual violence inflicted on women and children.
"I discussed [with president Kabila] the issue of sexual violence on the civilian populations. It is very widespread in the DRC and it must cease. It is abominable to note that in the zones of conflict, nearly eight out of 10 rapes are committed by men in uniform, whether they be members of armed groups or security forces. "
The Secretary General insisted that the culture of impunity must be tackled.
"It requires efforts on behalf of the government but also on behalf of the international community, which must work together to fight against this plague. President Kabila must ensure that he uses all his power so that these crimes cease. I asked him to mobilise all the institutions of his country to ensure the safety and security of all the civilian populations, and to prevent sexual violence in particular. "
In addition, Mr. Ban recalled that according to its mandate, MONUC is not a substitute for the Congolese government, but is there to encourage and support the action of the Congolese authorities and institutions.
"MONUC is there to help the State in the restoration of its authority, such as in the installation of a rule of law, the two pillars to guarantee peace and stability in the area."
On Saturday afternoon, the Secretary General and his delegation then flew to Goma, capital of North Kivu province in eastern DRC.
In Goma, he visited the Heal Africa hospital, which treats hundreds of victims of sexual violence.
On Sunday morning 1 March 2009, Mr. Ban also met with some of the 20,000 hungry and destitute people at Kibati camp for internally displaced people outside the city, which has seen a fall in numbers in recent months.
"This is good news. It shows that people are returning to their homes. But their first concern is security. Even though they want to return, they fear that when they do, they may be attacked by the remaining extremist Hutu militia," he said.
The Secretary General pledged "to bring further assistance to those displaced people" and help them return home.
"In working with the international community and the United Nations, a plan of action is being worked out with the prime minister's office to increase humanitarian access to people in need."
Mr. Ban and his delegation then continued on to Rwandan capital Kigali, for a meeting with Rwandan president Paul Kagame.