United Nations Secretary General Mr. Ban Ki-moon is due to make a working visit to the Democratic Republic of Congo from 28 February to 1 March 2009. The visit is part of a tour to five African countries: DRC, South Africa, Kenya, Rwanda and Egypt.
In his second trip to DR Congo since his historic visit in January 2007, Mr. Ban is expected to meet President Joseph Kabila in Beni in North Kivu province on Saturday 28 February 2009. He will then fly to South Kivu capital Bukavu, where he will tour Panzi hospital, which treats victims of sexual violence.
Following this visit, the Secretary General will travel to North Kivu capital Goma, where he is expected to meet the local authorities and visit a camp for internally displaced people in Kibati. He will then continue on to Rwandan capital Kigali, for a meeting with President Paul Kagame.
Mr. Ban's last visit to the DRC was in January 2007, when he made his first official trip to Africa as Secretary General, just weeks after taking office.
At that time, the UN Secretary-General came to "see first-hand the remarkable progress that the country has made in holding its first multi-party elections in more than 40 years...and [to] send a symbolic message not only to the Congolese people, but to the peoples of the world so that hope can be restored after years of war and ethnic conflicts."
According to MONUC Spokesman Mr. Madnodje Mounoubai, the Secretary General is once again coming to the DRC "to renew contact with the Congolese authorities and discuss with them the evolution of the peace process in the country over the last few years."