During a press conference in Mbuji-Mayi on Sunday, President Kabila was asked about wire reports that the Congolese government has asked the United Nations to provide a pullout plan for its peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUC).

“We have very good relations with MONUC. When will MONUC go? I do not know, but we have very good relations. There have been some differences here and there, but for now, we have very good relations with MONUC”, he said.

He added that “MONUC’s mandate will be renewed for another 6 months in December. The desire of the Congolese government is to receive a disengagement plan for MONUC by June 30, 2010, because we believe, and it’s a fact, that since the beginning of this year, there has been a marked improvement in the security situation in the East.”

President Kabila said he hoped to receive the pullout plan by the end of the year. “Based on this plan, we will eventually discuss with MONUC the practicalities of its gradual disengagement”, he said.

MONUC’s current mandate expires in December. It is expected that the U.N. Security Council will extend the peacekeeping mission for only 6 months this time instead of a full year as usual.

The Democratic Republic of Congo will be celebrating the 50th anniversary of its independence on June 30, 2010. Some analysts have suggested the government wants to show it no longer relies on the 20,000- strong U.N. peacekeeping force to maintain security in the country.

MONUC was established by the U.N. Security Council in 1999. The largest for any current U.N. peacekeeping operation, its annual budget has grown to more than 1 billion U.S. dollars.

On the web: Congo News Agency

1. • UN report says Rwandan army committed genocide in DR Congo (August 26, 2010)
2. • UN Security Council calls for urgent action over mass DR Congo rape (August 26, 2010)
3. • UN Defends Inaction on Mass Rapes in Eastern Congo, Government Missing in Action (August 26, 2010)
4. • Two Suspects Arrested in Attack on MONUSCO Base (August 20, 2010)
5. • UN: Risks Increasing For Humanitarian Aid Workers (August 19, 2010)
6. • Ban Ki-moon deplores deadly attack against blue helmets in North Kivu (August 18, 2010)
7. • Malu Malu Challenges Opponents of Elections Timetable (August 12, 2010)
8. • Muzito Signs $42 million Loan Agreement with India for Kakobola Dam (August 5, 2010)
9. • Kabila Signs Bill Creating New Electoral Commission (July 30, 2010)
10. • U.S. Financial Bill Will Require Disclosure on Conflict Minerals - Hillary Clinton (July 22, 2010)
11. • President Kabila Pays Respects to Sange Victims (July 5, 2010)
12. • Two Days of Mourning Declared after 235 Die from Oil Tanker Explosion (July 4, 2010)
13. • Ban Ki-moon inaugurates new phase of UN mission in DR Congo (July 1, 2010)
14. • The United States seeks a new era of partnership with the DRC - Hillary Clinton (June 30, 2010)
15. • Congo Celebrates 50th Anniversary of Independence (June 30, 2010)
16. • UN chief arrives in DR Congo to attend events marking independence anniversary (June 29, 2010)
17. • Belgian King Arrives in Kinshasa for Congo's Independence Celebrations (June 28, 2010)
18. • Top UN envoy bids farewell to first batch of blue helmets leaving DR Congo (June 16, 2010)
19. • Veteran United States diplomat appointed to top UN post in DR Congo (June 9, 2010)
20. • UN experts welcome steps taken in wake of murder of Floribert Chebeya (June 9, 2010)
21. • DR Congo suspends police chief over Floribert Chebeya death (June 6, 2010)
22. • Joint Government and UN Inquiry Needed into Death of Floribert Chebeya (June 3, 2010)
23. • Top UN officials urge inquiry into killing of Congolese human rights activist (June 3, 2010)
24. • UN to reduce DR Congo peace force (May 28, 2010)
25. • Security Council agrees to convert UN mission in DR Congo into stabilization force (May 28, 2010)
26. • U.S. Official Sees Improvement in Africa's Great Lakes Region (May 26, 2010)
27. • African Leaders Discuss Nile River Dispute (May 23, 2010)
28. • Back from DR Congo, Security Council set to review mandate of UN force (May 17, 2010)
29. • Security Council members depart for two-day visit to DR Congo (May 13, 2010)
30. • UN chief warns against early withdrawal from DR Congo (April 30, 2010)

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