The Congolese Prime Minister, Jean-Michel Sama Lukonde, received on Tuesday, June 6, the Deputy Secretary General of the United Nations (UN), Jean-Pierre Lacroix. The critical security and humanitarian situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) was discussed during their interview. Rwanda, a neighbor of the DRC, is accused of helping the terrorists of the M23, refugees in the province of North Kivu. Their exchange also focused on the convergence of their objective regarding the strengthening of the authority of the State in all these components.
Jean-Pierre Lacroix stressed the importance of the protection of civilians and the need to begin the transition for the gradual withdrawal of MONUSCO, which would gradually strengthen the presence of the State and avoid a breakdown in the functions of civilians, especially in areas affected by internal displacement. The issue of preparation operations on the pre-cantonment of the M23 was also addressed. And the Deputy Secretary General of the UN has indicated that MONUSCO should apply its efforts very actively.
The discussion also focused on regional processes such as the Nairobi and Luanda processes, and the importance of their implementation and application. Jean-Pierre Lacroix also pledged his enhanced support for the Disarmament, Demobilization, Community Reintegration and Stabilization Program (P-DDRC-S) in areas where disarmament can be done quickly.
The UN Under-Secretary-General stressed the need to strengthen advocacy with humanitarian agencies and donors, despite the context marked by humanitarian crises around the world. The crisis in the DRC deserves special attention, and the UN is committed to strengthening its advocacy for this cause.
In short, the meeting between Prime Minister Jean-Michel Sama Lukonde and the UN Deputy Secretary General, Jean-Pierre Lacroix, was fruitful on subjects relating to security, the transition for the withdrawal of Monusco, to the regional process, disarmament and humanitarian aid in the DRC