Vietnam shares concerns over persistent insecurity in Congo

New York (VNA) – Ambassador Pham Hai Anh, deputy head of the Vietnamese permanent mission to the UN, shared concerns over persistent insecurity and humanitarian challenges facing the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), during a UN Security Council meeting on December 7.

The DRC has the largest number of internally displaced persons in Africa – 5.2 million people – and between July and December, 21.8 million people were facing acute food insecurity, the ambassador told the meeting.

Anh underscored the importance of providing support to the DRC in protecting civilians and dealing with the root causes of conflicts in the African country through strengthening the role of the state, promoting security reforms, enhancing resource management, and boosting economic development.

He also called for regional cooperation and assistance from the international community to stabilise the situation not only in the DRC but also in the region.

In her briefing at the event, Leila Zerrougui, Special Representative of the Secretary-General and head of the UN Organization Stabilization Mission in the DRC (MONUSCO), said the DRC is going through a period of heightened political tensions, marked by persistent differences within the governing coalition.

Over the past month, the mission has met with numerous representatives of the political forces and civil societies concerned, to encourage them to resolve their differences through dialogue and avoid any provocations likely to incite violence, she said.

She further expressed her concern over the situation in Eastern Congo which has seen no progress. Insecurity and the theft of natural resources caused by armed groups as well as displacements have severely affected civilians’ lives in various areas.

Zerrougui also reported to the UNSC on a new strategy jointly built by the DRC government and MONUSCO for the drawdown and ultimate withdrawal of the mission in the African country.

The MONUSCO was founded in 1999 to assist the DRC in maintaining peace and stability./.