Swiss president promises to work for conflict victims during Congo visit
Swiss President Alain Berset met on Thursday with Congolese President Felix Tshisikedi.
Keystone / Béatrice Devènes
Swiss President Alain Berset has promised in Kinshasa to work for the civilian victims of conflict in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
This content was published on
2 minutes
AFP/jc
“We want to focus attention on those who are the first victims” of insecurity, Berset said on Thursday at a joint press conference with his Congolese counterpart Felix Tshisekedi.
This comes as Switzerland is due to chair the UN Security Council next month, having become a non-permanent member for the first time at the start of this year. Berset said Switzerland is sitting on the Council “with the approach that we know, the commitment to peace, peace processes, mediation and dialogue”.
The Swiss president has been in the DRC since Wednesday. He held talks with Tshisikedi in the capital on Thursday. According to a government press releaseExternal link, topics of discussion were to include bilateral relations and the UN mission for Stabilisation in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUSCO), to which Switzerland contributes police forces and de-miners.
Berset’s visit includes travelling to the conflict-torn east. His meetings are scheduled to include one with Denis Mukwege, the Nobel Prize winning doctor specialised in treating rape victims in the eastern DRC. He is to visit camps for displaced people in Goma, capital of North Kivu province, where the M23 rebellion has displaced hundreds of thousands of people since the end of 2021.
Berset will chair a UN Security Council meeting in mid-May on protection of civilians in conflict zones, according to the press release. After the presidential visit to Mozambique in February, Berset’s visit to the DRC is the second to take place in this context.
Popular Stories
More
Swiss Abroad
An eye-opening guide to Switzerland’s ear-splitting sirens
Hardly any violations of minimum wage regulations in Ticino
This content was published on
A good 3% of companies inspected have violated the minimum wage in the Swiss canton of Ticino in the past three years, according to an official review.
Mandatory EU referendum not possible, says Swiss commission
This content was published on
Switzerland's treaties with the European Union cannot be subject to a mandatory referendum. This is the opinion of the majority of the responsible committee of the House of Representatives.
Consumer group files legal complaint against Swiss shoemaker On
This content was published on
The consumer affairs bureau of French-speaking Switzerland has filed a legal complaint against On accusing it of greenwashing.
This content was published on
Thomas Schinecker, CEO of Swiss pharma firm Roche, has dismissed fears that sales targets would be under threat by US tariffs.
This content was published on
Researchers are asking the Swiss public for help in naming two newly discovered Swiss fish species of the genus Barbatula.
Science alliance warns against Swiss government’s cost-cutting plans
This content was published on
An alliance of research and science institutions have warned of dire consequences if the Swiss government goes ahead with its austerity package.
Accidents during leisure time on the rise in Switzerland
This content was published on
IN 2024 more people had accidents during leisure time than in the previous year. Some 26% of all sports accidents happened playing football.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
Development and UN cooperation at heart of Swiss Mozambique visit
This content was published on
Swiss President Alain Berset on Friday ended a visit to Mozambique which focused on bilateral ties and cooperation in the UN Security Council.
How Switzerland could help restore some UN credibility
This content was published on
Switzerland has taken up a seat on the UN Security Council since January 1. Can it help restore credibility to this body?
Glencore to pay $180 million over alleged Congo corruption claims
This content was published on
Swiss-based Glencore says it will pay $180 million to the Democratic Republic of Congo as part of an agreement covering corruption allegations.
UBS accused of role in embezzling Congolese millions
This content was published on
Three NGOs has issued a criminal complaint against Swiss bank UBS for allegedly helping the former DRC president launder money.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.