The United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has told the Congolese President Joseph Kabila to ensure speedy disarmament of the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) militia as part of efforts to pacify his country and the region in general.

"The Secretary-General emphasised the importance of completing the disarmament of the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda, as soon as possible, noting that military action should remain an option, if necessary,” a statement issued after Ban and Kabila’s meeting said yesterday.

The two leaders met a day after a High-level meeting of the signatories on Peace, Security and Cooperation Framework for the DR Congo and the region repeated calls urging the militia group to surrender or face military action.

Convened on the margins of the ongoing United Nations General Assembly by Ban and the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, Tuesday’s meeting was attended by leaders of the 12-member countries that make up International Conference on the Great Lakes Region and the Southern Africa Development Community.

Review meeting on ultimatum

The meetings come about a week to the mid-term review summit scheduled for Luanda, Angola, on October 2, to assess the progress in regards to the six-month ultimatum the FDLR was given to voluntarily surrender or face forceful disarmament.

In the two leaders’ meeting, Ban welcomed the efforts of the Congolese Government to stabilise the country and work towards its development, according to the statement.

But he stressed that further structural reforms were needed, particularly in the army and governance, and highlighted the importance of regional cooperation, the statement said.

Ban welcomed the commitment of President Kabila and other leaders in the region to the Peace, Security and Cooperation Framework, as demonstrated by their participation in the 4th high-level meeting of the Regional Oversight Mechanism in New York on September 22, the statement added.

Ban and Kabila also exchanged views on the upcoming strategic review of Monusco, the United Nations Stabilisation Mission in DR Congo.

The duo agreed on the need for the DR Congo Government to work closely with the Secretary-General’s Special Representative, Martin Kobler, and his Special Envoy for the Great Lakes Region, Said Djinnit.

The FDLR is made up of elements largely responsible for the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.

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FDLR

The Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda is primarily comprised of remnants of the elements responsible for the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda. After the defeat of the genocidal machinery, the militia group fled into eastern DR Congo where they have been based since. From time to time, the insurgents mount attacks on Rwandans, especially on border districts such as Rubavu, killing and maiming innocent civilians.

The group claims to fight to overthrow the Kigali administration and is infamous for luring unsuspecting civilians into their rank and file, where many end up in sex slavery and child labour.

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