Mennonite
Central
Committee

Suzanne Lind, the Democratic Republic of Congo's MCC co-country representative visits governments at the United Nations.

August 25-26, 2005

On August 25^th and 26^th 2005, Suzanne Lind joined Muhawu Lumeya and David Blough on a series of meetings with government mission to the United Nations (UN). The visit was scheduled to highlight the need for monitoring, mediating and education during the elections that will take place in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in November and in spring 2006.

Suzanne spoke about the role of the Churches and civil society in the electoral process. She also underscored the Urgent Peace Project initiated recently by Mennonite Central Committee. The goal of the project is to provide trainers and observers during the electoral process in the DRC. MCC's contribution is part of a broader effort by churches to contribute to what will hopefully be the success of the first democratic elections in the country.

The meetings with Non Governmental Organizations (NGO), members of the Security Council (Tanzania, the United States, Brazil) and other donors (Canada, Belgium), were for the MCC United Nations Office the conclusion of a busy month in terms of advocacy focus on the DRC. The coalition of NGOs dealing with the Congo in the United Nations context has grown and solidified. Notably, an Arria formula, a meeting in which NGOs have the opportunity to address the Security Council has taken place on the 10th August.