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DR Congo: Kimia II - MONUC and traditional leaders reflect on collaboration strategies in South Kivu

Bukavu, 10 August 2009 - Against the backdrop of an unprecedented historical and political situation in the DRC, marked by the revival of diplomatic relations with Rwanda, MONUC's Bukavu office held a two day meeting with traditional leaders in South Kivu Province from 7-8 August 2009, with a view to reflecting on collaboration strategies in the context of ongoing Kimia II military operations.

The two day retreat, which took place in MONUC headquarters, was attended by 35 traditional leaders, commonly called Bami from the "chefferies" of the South Kivu province (each "chefferie" is made up of eight districts). The objective of the meeting was to brainstorm and discuss the challenges posed by the DRC military operations against the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), and to develop strategies for an effective collaboration between partners in order to best protect the civilian population.

In his opening remarks, South Kivu Governor Mr. Louis Mudherwa reflected on the successes of the military operations, and the major challenges faced. A special emphasis was laid on the plight of an estimated 61,695 internally displaced people, the majority of whom have fled to the South Kivu forests.

The Governor reiterated the Government's commitment to mobilize resources to aid those displaced, and appealed for the international community's support. Addressing traditional leaders, the Governor highlighted the important role they should play in this critical phase of the peace process: "Our traditional leaders should be the first to disseminate any message and serve as mentors to the population at the grassroots level."

MONUC's Pubic Information Office underscored the importance of such an exchange of information with the Bamis in a presentation on MONUC's mandate, and its actions pursuant to UN Security Council resolution 1856, notably in relation to Kimia II operations.

MONUC's priority was the protection of civilians, which had prompted the deployment of 43 Joint Protection Teams on mission in the provinces of North and South Kivu. MONUC's achievements were then described in terms of the protection of civilians as well as support to the Congolese Armed Forces in the areas of planning, logistics, training and reinforcement of contingents on the ground.

On the subject of the FDLR's repatriation to Rwanda, MONUC eastern region coordinator Mr. Alpha Sow said their presence in the DRC posed a permanent threat to the peace process; he however applauded the normalisation of relations between Kinshasa and Kigali, saying it was a good moment to stop the presence of foreign armies in the DRC through disarmament.

Deploring shortfalls in the military command of Kimia II operations, Mr. Sow urged traditional leaders to press for better collaboration between the Congolese Army and civilian authorities on the ground, and encouraged the Congolese authorities to proceed with the zero tolerance policy in their struggle against impunity.

Aware of their important role and influence on the society, traditional leaders voiced their support to Kimia II operations and called for sound collaboration with civilian authorities in the province.

Following some stormy debates, the meeting issued thirty recommendations, such as: that MONUC and the Congolese Government should mobilise the necessary resources for the protection of civilian populations; that the Congolese Army and Police should prevent FDLR elements from returning to the liberated zones; that the Congolese Government should pay troop wages regularly and provide them with rations on time to prevent them from preying on the civilian population; that the international community, as requested by the Bami, should provide further assistance to the internally displaced from different territories for the reconstruction of their torched villages by the FDLR, and that International Justice should prosecute the FDLR's leadership in Europe and America and cut their sources of supply.