During a meeting with Prime Minister Judith Suminwa, Lacroix stated that he deemed the Disarmament, Demobilization, and Reintegration (DDR) program of Combatants of Armed Groups essential for peace in the country’s eastern region and reaffirmed his organization’s commitment to this action, the Congolese Press Agency reported.

During the meeting held on Tuesday, he added that the working structures for the withdrawal of the United Nations Stabilization Mission in the DRC (MONUSCO) from South Kivu province and the armed groups’ disarmament coordination would be strengthened.

As he had done with President Felix Tshisekedi, the head of UN Peacekeeping Operations reiterated to the prime minister his support for the diplomatic and ceasefire efforts in the DRC and proposed to work with the Government through MONUSCO’s support for the ceasefire verification and monitoring mechanism.

He underscored that the protection of civilians is a priority and a defining factor for the United Nations, which looks forward to supporting the continued protection of civilians.

Lacroix also met on Tuesday with members of the ruling political coalition, the Sacred Union for the Nation, and opposition parties’ members.

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