
The province of Ituri in the Democratic Republic of Congo has been facing a precarious situation for several years with more than one million six hundred thousand displaced people. The joint efforts of the Congolese and Angolan governments to promote peace, stability and security have yet to bear fruit. The visit of the UN Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations, Jean-Pierre Lacroix, raised international awareness of the difficult situation in this region. Despite security challenges, recent clashes have resulted in the deaths of six jihadists. Economic development remains a challenge, as does the organization of elections, hampered by voter turnout in conflict regions. Local and international leaders must therefore step up their efforts to promote peace, security and meet humanitarian needs.