The German foreign Minister has met the new President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Félix Tshisekedi could stand for new beginnings, but must fight against violence and Ebola. From Kinshasa Fabian of the Mark.
Federal foreign Minister Maas meets Congo President Félix Tshisekedi
How serious the situation is, has Heiko Maas will get to experience first-hand: on arrival in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, a security measure in times of Ebola was also measured for him on the tarmac fever. The Virus has killed within a year of the 2000 people in the Congo. Maas has experts on the ground, the location of signs, before he met on the last day of his trip to Africa, Congo’s President in the capital, Kinshasa.
There, the foreign Minister made prior to the Meeting clear, what he expects of his interlocutors: “the government and The President have it now in Hand to ensure that the expectations of the people are met, that there is more security, the fight against Ebola is being consistently continued.” A diplomatic appeal to the new President, Félix Tshisekedi.
First, land, then measure fever. Heiko Maas on the runway of the international airport in Kinshasa
“The most complex Ebola fight story”
Tshisekedi has been elected by the end of 2018 after years of Kabila’s rule as President. Many Congolese people have placed great hopes in him, Maas heard in his talks. The problems are enormous: three-quarters of the population have less than two dollars a day, all over the country frolic of the militia, and then Ebola.
Maas has taken in Goma, the UN coordinator for the Ebola emergency response, David Gressly,. Gressly speaks of the “most complex Ebola-fighting history”. Because the country is politically divided because the Virus occurs in the most remote areas and, because it always comes back to Attacks from militias. Even health facilities are being attacked – 250 for Tshisekedi in the office.
Criticism of the new President
Also that is why for Heiko Maas is clear that, in addition to information and vaccination is all about safety for the medical assistants in the second largest country in Africa. Maas expects Tshisekedi that he gets the struggles of the rival militias under control: “the Central government must find a solution, and probably also in the dialogue,” said Maas in Kinshasa.
The accusation, Tshisekedi care too little to the many regions of his country, you can hear from the civil society after eight months in office, Tshisekedis. The bad situation in the cities of Goma or Bukavu, who have been hit by Ebola and has also visited the Meuse, is still significantly undercutting of the States in the country.
Perhaps there is not only a spatial distance: Félix Tshisekedi (m.) and Heiko Mass (left front)
Come with Malaria go to Ebola
Maas has spoken with the representative of the world health organization (WHO), Ibrahima Sosé case in Goma. Sosé case, knows the situation and describes dramatically how bad the infrastructure in the area of the country. Medical care is about taking place, often under unprofessional conditions. Therefore, the deadly disease from spreading even further. “Someone comes in with Malaria and Ebola this Situation, we have almost everywhere,” says Sosé case. Per week, according to Figures from the WHO, 80 of new Infections.
To bring Ebola under control in the role of MONUSCO, the UN Mission that is trying to maintain the shaky peace in the country is actually not. However, since both are linked together, is Maas, also for the extension of the UN mandate. Also, the Director of the program, Leila Zerrougui, called for a Meeting with Maas knits against a reduction.
Official photos there were, but no press conference
Of Tshisekedi Maas expects closer cooperation with international organizations and other reforms, only the Congo could expect more support. Above all, the Congo expected improvements reading now. Maas concludes: “The challenges are great, but the President is meeting with the population on a trust that can certainly be very playful quickly.” What Tshisekedi thinks about all of this, only he knows himself. A press conference after the Meeting with Maas and it was not.