Head of UN Mission hails progress made in DR Congo

The outgoing head of the UN Mission for Stabilization of Congo (MONUSCO) Martin Kobler said on Wednesday he was proud and satisfied with MONUSCO's accomplishments across the Congolese territory, especially in the east of the country.

"I leave with a sense of pride for having worked with UN forces who worked extremely hard on the ground against armed groups," Kobler said when he addressed the press in Kinshasa.

Kobler said the work done in the east of the country had helped to change MONUSCO's image before the DR Congo population.

"We have developed a very strong force against armed groups in the East of the country, but we have not yet eradicated them," MONUSCO chief said.

He said the challenges to be overcome in the east of the country were immense since 2013, but the situation on the ground is not the same today.

"About 80,000 refugees who, at the time, had been chased away by the Ugandan rebel group, Allied Democratic Forces, have returned to Kamango," Kobler affirmed.

He however said he was frustrated that for over six months, "there has been no progress in discussions with the DR Congo authorities on the situation of the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda rebels."

Kobler took over the leadership of MONUSCO in August 2013, with an objective of resolving armed and political conflicts in the country, especially in the eastern region. Endit