SG/SM/8785
AFR/669
18 July 2003

SECRETARY-GENERAL WELCOMES INSTALLATION OF NATIONAL UNITY GOVERNMENT IN DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO

NEW YORK, 17 July (UN Headquarters) -- The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for Secretary-General Kofi Annan:

The Secretary-General welcomes the installation of the Government of National Unity and Transition in Kinshasa, marked by the swearing-in ceremony of the Vice Presidents today.

This is a historic milestone in the peace process in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.  The vision of peace and reconciliation articulated in the 1999 Lusaka Ceasefire Agreement is taking shape.

The Secretary-General calls on the Congolese leaders to fulfil their responsibilities in meeting the daunting challenges of transition; and steering their country onto the path of reconciliation, recovery, as well as free and fair elections.  The United Nations stands ready to play its part in assisting the Congolese consolidate the hard-won gains in the peace process.

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