At the closure of the Amani Programme Steering Committee meeting in Goma on Thursday 7 August 2008, the Committee welcomed the return to the process of the ?Congrès National pour la Défense du Peuple? and the ?Forces Républicaines Fédéralistes? which had suspended their participation. The Committee adopted resolutions and recommendations, in particular the acceleration of the Amani Programme, and the completion and adoption of the disengagement plan as soon as possible.

In an official statement, the Committee reminds the armed groups of their responsibility to unconditionally take part in the process, in accordance with the Goma Acts of Engagement. It proposes the immediate launching of the Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration programme.

The Committee recommends the reestablishment of state authority throughout all the territory of North and South Kivu provinces, as well as the dismantling of all irregular barriers for the freedom of movement of people and goods.

It stressed the importance of the systematic legal procedures and the reinforcement of the fight against impunity, and specifically sexual violence.

The Committee recommends that the Mixed Technical Commission on Peace and Security take into account and examine all the concerns of the armed groups.

Lastly, it recommends that the Mixed Technical Commission on Peace and Security meet weekly, with the Steering Committee holding a monthly meeting, alternating between Bukavu, Goma and Kinshasa.

At the closing ceremony, Alan Doss, Special Representative of the UN Secretary General in the DRC, encouraged the political actors of the Amani Programme to move forward.

?We must all move ahead with what was decided and agreed. I know that there are problems and difficulties but solutions should be found. For this reason everyone came to solve the problem and to put a definitive end to the conflicts which have torn this area apart.?

?It is in this direction that we have the responsibility, especially MONUC and the United Nations, in front of the international community, to see how together we can accelerate the process,? he added.

Earlier on Thursday 7 August 2008, The Amani Programme Steering Committee members visited Kibumba displaced persons camp in Rutshuru territory, 20 kilometers north of Goma.

Those displaced expressed their desire to return to their homes, but first demanded of the government to make the way safe for their return. In response, Denis Kalume, DRC Minister of the Interior, Decentralisation and Security, said that work was in progress for the reestablishment of state authority.

Kibumba camp holds nearly 10 thousand households, which fled the insecurity in the sectors of Ntamugenga, Rugari, and Gatwa, approximately 50 km north of Goma in Rutshuru territory.

President of Kibumba displaced persons camp indicated to the Committee members that several other families continue to arrive since mid-July, because of the reinforcement and movements of armed men in certain areas of Rutshuru. He added that the humanitarian conditions are not good in the camp.

In response, Amani Programme Coordinator Reverend Malu Malu explained the evolution of the Amani programme so far. For him, the disengagement of the troops remains the main solution for the return of peace to the province.

For peace to return, he said those displaced also have a role to educate their children, who use weapons, on the importance of disengagement.