Joseph Kabila Kabange, the President of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), received, this Sunday afternoon in Goma, a delegation of the representatives in the DRC of the Member States of the Security Council, the African Union and the European Union, as well as the Special Representative of the Secretary General in the DRC (MONUC).

The audience proceeded in the presence of the President of the National Assembly, of the Congolese Ministers for the Interior, Foreign affairs, Defence, the Coordinator of the Amani Programme and the North Kivu governor. This meeting had the aim of addressing the current situation and discussing recent events.

At a press conference, Alan Doss, Special Representative of the Secretary General in the DRC, stressed that during the meeting all were unanimous on the immediate redynamisation of the Amani Program, to present the disengagement plan as soon as possible, and to create the space necessary so that displaced people can return home quickly and in security.

It ws also agreed that the Congrès National pour la Défense du Peuple (CNDP) must move forward and return to the Amani Programme.

Roeland van de Geer, European Union Special Envoy in the Great lakes, stressed that the international facilitation, including MONUC, spoke with one voice, and supported the revival of the Amani Programme.

“All its members are for the continuation of the implementation of the official Nairobi Communiqué. We want the CNDP to return to the process,” he said.

North Kivu governor Julien Paluku confirmed that the course had been fixed, and that it was advisable to get Amani Programme back on track.

It should be noted that President Kabila announced the renewal of the Amani Program for one year. In addition he reiterated the full support of the Congolese authorities for the United Nations Mission in the DRC (MONUC).

Today the situation remained relatively calm on the ground in both Kivu provinces. MONUC forces remain on alert and continue to follow the withdrawal of CNDP troops from all occupied positions since the launching of hostilities on 28 August last.