Terrorism, Ebola are impeding development, DR Congo chief tells UN

25 September 2014 – President Joseph Kabila of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)warned the United Nations today that global development was threatened by terrorism and the resurgence of the Ebola epidemic, pledging his country’s contribution to international efforts to combat the scourges.

“Collectively confronting [terrorism] is a moral obligation for all the Member States of our Organization as well as the only effective strategy if we want to rid ourselves surely and speedily of this atrocity,” he told leaders of 193 countries on the second day of the UN General Assembly’s 69th annual General Debate, referring to terrorist violence in Africa.

“Africa, once spared this type of blind violence is today its epicentre. The peoples of Libya, Mali, Kenya, Somalia Nigeria and so many other countries in Europe, America and Asia are now regularly thrown into mourning by attacks, hostage takings and summary executions.”

On the fight against Ebola, which has so far killed more than 2,000 people in less than six months in Africa, Mr. Kabila called for international support for his continent, offering the expertise of his own country where the first outbreak was recorded more than 30 years ago.

Turning to the maintenance of peace, he highlighted the DRC’s contribution of soldiers and police to efforts to restore stability to neighbouring Central African Republic.

“I wish to reaffirm the Democratic Republic of Congo’s commitment to work tirelessly for peace and stability in Africa and the world,” he declared.

Echoing Mr. Kabila’s concerns about terrorism disrupting development, Cameroonian President Paul Biya, in a message delivered by Foreign Minister Moukoko Mbonjo, highlighted the plight of his neighbouring countries.

“To the east, the Central African Republic has suffered a grave deterioration of its security since March. Massacres and the displacement of people have cast a question mark over any hope for development, without mentioning the tens of thousands of refugees who have poured into Cameroon,” he said.

“In the far north, it is the attacks of the Boko Haram sect (from Nigeria), more interested in imposing Sharia law than improving the living conditions of their people, which threaten our territorial integrity.”