UN Security Council representatives to visit

A delegation made up of permanent representatives of the United Nations Security Council is scheduled to visit Rwanda on Sunday, May 17.

Friday, May 15, 2009
Rosemary Museminali.

A delegation made up of permanent representatives of the United Nations Security Council is scheduled to visit Rwanda on Sunday, May 17.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Rosemary Museminali, confirmed the visit saying that it will assess the security situation in the country.

"They are ambassadors of the Security Council and are visiting not only Rwanda but the whole region. In Rwanda they will meet several government officials including myself, President Paul Kagame and members of the diplomatic corps accredited to Rwanda,” said Museminali.

"Among the issues we will table before them is the overview of the security situation in the region, how we think peace can be maintained and what we expect the UN Security Council to do.”

The delegation will be made up representatives from Austria, Burkina Faso, China, Costa Rica, Croatia, France, Japan, Libya, Mexico, Russia, Turkey, Uganda, United Kingdom, United States and Vietnam.

Museminali pointed out that: "The UN has its forces in the neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo and of late, several resolutions have been passed by the UNSC, we are expecting to get an update on how far the council has gone in enforcing those resolutions.”

According to a statement from the UN Country Office, the delegation is also expected to meet with the UN Resident Coordinator Aurélien Agbénonci.

During their stay in Rwanda, the officials are expected to visit Gisozi Memorial Centre and the Mutobo Demobilization Camp. They will also hold a joint press conference with President Paul Kagame.

The Mutobo camp is a transit camp where ex-combatants are taken before being demobilised and integrated in their respective communities.

It has hosted thousands of former rebels with the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) an outfit that is responsible for atrocities in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.

Media reports have indicated that the 15 person delegation will also visit Liberia, Democratic Republic of Congo, and meet with African Union officials in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, about the crisis in Somalia and Sudan.

Ends