Alan Doss, the Secretary-General’s Special Representative in the DRC and the head of the peacekeeping mission known as MONUC, said he is seeking the advice of an soon-to-be established independent, high-level panel of experts on how MONUC can further strengthen its efforts to prevent misconduct by its personnel.

The panel, comprising both Congolese and international members, will also advise on how to ensure that those responsible for unacceptable behaviour are held accountable.

In a statement issued today Mr. Doss stressed his commitment to maintaining the respect and trust of the Congolese people who he said deserve “the highest standards of conduct from civilian and military peacekeepers alike.”

Mr. Doss travelled to the eastern city of Goma, the capital of the troubled North Kivu province, accompanied by senior MONUC officials, for meetings on the peace process in a region of the country that continues to be beset by militia and inter-ethnic violence.

News Tracker: past stories on this issue

UN officials deny cover-up over peacekeeper probe in DR Congo