Ban Ki-moon to visit DR. Congo

United Nation's Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon is expected in Kinshasa on Friday for a two-day visit, UN mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) announced on Tuesday.

During his visit, Ban will meet with DRC's President Joseph Kabila, Prime Minister Antoine Gizenga, Parliament Speaker Vital Kamerhe and representatives of opposition political parties.

Ban on Saturday will visit Kisangani, capital of Orientale Province, where one of the highlights of his visit will take place by personally meeting and thanking peacekeepers for their contribution to peace efforts in difficult conditions.

The secretary-general will also make a short visit to Brazzaville where he will hold talks with the current Chairman of the African Union (AU) and President of the Republic of Congo, Denis Sassou Nguesso.

Ban and his delegation will leave Kisangani on Jan. 28 to attend the AU summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on Jan. 29.

On his first official foreign visit, Ban will be accompanied by his wife Ban Yoo Soo-Taek, and UN Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations, Jean-Marie Guehenno.

Source: Xinhua