The Democratic Republic of Congo President Joseph Kabila is expected to preside over the opening session of a two-day peace forum in the restive Kasai region.
Kabila travelled to Kasai’s main city of Kananga arriving to heavy security in the area.
It has not yet been established whether he will be flying afterwards to the United States for the United Nations General Assembly that kicks off on Tuesday September 19.
The meeting has however been seen by the opposition as a mini rally for the ruling party.
“Peace is essential. Without peace we cannot talk about development,” Prime Minister Bruno Tshibala who was in attendance was quoted by the AFP news agency.
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Militia and state forces have been engaged in running battles over the last year leading to deaths and displacement of thousands. Figures by the UN indicate that the numbers include more than 3 000 deaths, and around 1.4 million people have fled their homes.
The US has said it will support a resolution to establish a Commission of Inquiry into the ongoing human rights violations in the Kasai regions of the DRC. Kinshasa has so far fended off the overtures.
