Robinson hoping to help stop Congo violence 'for good'

United Nations envoy Mary Robinson believes there is a chance to solve the underlying causes of decades of violence in Congo and “stop it for good”.

The former Irish president told the UN Security Council that her hope stems from the peace accord signed by 11 African countries in late February to stabilise the troubled African nation because it requires national, regional and international action and includes oversight to ensure that benchmarks are set and met.

As the new UN special envoy for the Great Lakes Region of Africa, Ms Robinson is in charge of overseeing implementation of the peace deal, which she said would be “a very challenging process”, but on her first trip to the region last week, told leaders optimism and courage must replace of cynicism.