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 12 November 2009
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Outgoing UN Envoy to DRC: civilian protection should remain a top priority

12/11/2009

The Deputy United Nations Envoy to the Democratic Republic of Congo told reporters in New York on Thursday that the top priority for the peacekeeping mission there is the protection of civilians.

Ross Mountain

Ross Mountain

Ross Mountain, who is leaving his post this week after serving five years as Humanitarian Coordinator (and Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General) for the DRC, says, looking back over time, he feels extraordinary progress has been made by the UN mission in utilizing innovatively the military.

He noted that the North Atlantic Treaty, NATO, had over 40,000 troops to stabilize Kosovo, a much smaller territory than the DRC, which is the size of Western Europe.

"We are now moving up from the 17,000 troops that we've had over the last few years to hopefully getting the balance of the 3,000 voted over a year ago. That would bring us to 20,000. NATO had well over 40,000 in Kosovo. Kosovo has 10 thousand square kilometers; Congo has 2.4 million square kilometers. So alas, we are not behind every banana bush. Therefore, there is no way, unfortunately, that we can stop all of these things."

Ross Mountain admits progress has been slow in coming, but he believes the country is heading in the right direction, and the momentum needs to be sustained through the country's leadership and the continued support of the international community.

Jocelyne Sambira, United Nations Radio
(duration: 1'28)


Sound bites

Ross Mountain, Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Democratic Republic of Congo Cut 1

"We are now moving up from the 17,000 troops that we've had over the last few years to hopefully getting the balance of the 3,000 voted over a year ago. That would bring us to 20,000. NATO had well over 40,000 in Kosovo. Kosovo has 10 thousand square kilometers; Congo has 2.4 million square kilometers. So alas, we are not behind every banana bush. Therefore, there is no way, unfortunately, that we can stop all of these things."
Duration: 00:00:29

Ross Mountain, Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Democratic Republic of Congo Cut 2

"If one looks back over a period time, I think at least the country is moving in the right direction. There needs to be hope that it can continue to progress. It is not automatic; It is not irreversible, but it is progress that needs to be sustained through the leadership of the country itself, primarily, and the continuing support of the international community."
Duration: 00:00:20

Ross Mountain, Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Democratic Republic of Congo Cut 3

"Those that voted didn't vote just in a beauty contest. They voted for a better a life, and it has been very slow in coming and realizing the benefits of a peace process. There is still insecurity very much in the East. We've had the problem of the LRA in the north, and you've probably read in the paper, recently, about even internecine strife occurring in Equator in the West. So, there are plenty of problems."
Duration: 00:00:21

Ross Mountain, Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Democratic Republic of Congo Cut 4

"Our number one priority from the Security Council mandate--it's not the only Security Council mandate--but the number one priority is the protection of civilians. And, frankly, there has been extraordinary progress made in us utilizing innovatively the military that we have to do that. Is that adequate? No."
Duration: 00:00:19

Ross Mountain, Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Democratic Republic of Congo Cut 5

"We are now moving up from the 17,000 troops that we've had over the last few years to hopefully getting the balance of the 3,000 voted over a year ago. That would bring us to 20,000. NATO had well over 40,000 in Kosovo. Kosovo has 10 thousand square kilometers; Congo has 2.4 million square kilometers. So alas, we are not behind every banana bush. Therefore, there is no way, unfortunately, that we can stop all of these things."
Duration: 00:00:29