SECRETARY-GENERAL WELCOMES ANNOUNCEMENT OF FORMATION

 

OF GOVERNMENT IN DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO

 

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon:

The Secretary-General welcomes the announcement yesterday of the formation of the Government in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.  This marks an important new step in the country’s progress towards establishing institutions that serve all the people of the Democratic Republic of the Congo by guaranteeing respect for human rights and the rule of law.

In this connection, the Secretary-General deplores the violent incidents which took place recently in several towns of the Bas Congo province and reportedly led to the deaths of more than 100 people.  He calls for an immediate end to the violence and for an investigation, as well as for humanitarian assistance to the victims and their families.

The Secretary-General appeals to the Government and the opposition to work together to resolve the present situation, and to bring the perpetrators to justice.  He calls on security forces to refrain from the disproportionate use of force, and on opposition parties to pursue their electoral grievances through peaceful and legal means.  He reiterates the call for inclusiveness, transparency and dialogue in the political process.

The United Nations remains committed to helping stabilize the situation in Bas Congo.  To this end, the United Nations Organization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUC) has deployed a special team to the region.

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For information media • not an official record