UN peacekeeping chief arrives in Kinshasa

The UN Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations, Jean-Marie Guehenno, arrived in Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), on Thursday for a one-week visit to assess the progress of the transitional government and determine the steps to be taken ahead of the June 2005 general election.

Saying that "the re-establishment of state authority remains a major obstacle," Guehenno urged the transitional government to take responsibility and ensure peace and stability in the country.

"The government needs to ensure that their authority is distributed throughout the country so all Congolese can benefit from the fruits of freedom, the road ahead is long," he added.

Guehenno last visited the country in May 2003. Since then, Congo's political development has proceeded according to an agreement signed by Congolese parties in Sun City, South Africa on 2 April 2003. The transitional government was installed in Kinshasa in June 2003.

On 14 May, government officials and leaders of seven armed militia groups from the embattled northeastern province of Orientale signed an engagement act to end fighting in the district of Ituri.

"This is the end of the war in Ituri," said Azarias Ruberwa, one of the country's vice-presidents, was quoted as saying at the end of the meeting.

"It is inconceivable that there can be any fighting between you and the people, the UN or the army and police that will soon be deployed," he added. [See DRC: Ituri militia leaders commit themselves to peace, transition]

During his visit, Guehenno is due to meet with President Joseph Kabila and other government ministers before leaving for a tour of Rwanda, Uganda and South Africa.