Kinshasa, 1 November 2010 – The Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Mr. Roger Meece paid a visit to North Kivu this Saturday, 30 October 2010. The Special Representative visited the locality of Rwindi situated in the territory of Rutshuru where the base of MONUSCO peacekeepers had been attacked by a group of about 50 armed men on 30 October 2010. Mr. Meece was accompanied by local Congolese authorities and a delegation of civilian and military officials from MONUSCO's Goma office.

"I have come to get information about the exact circumstances in which the attack took place last week. I wanted also to congratulate MONUSCO's officers and troops on their efforts, and to thank the Armed Forces of the DRC (FARDC) and other Congolese authorities for the actions undertaken immediately after the incident - actions such as the arrest of several persons involved in this attack," Mr. Meece told Radio Okapi in Rwindi.

Prior to his Rwindi visit, the Special Representative went to Kitchanga in the territory of Masisi where he met with the MONUSCO base commander who briefed him on the security situation in the area. "I wanted to come down here on the ground to understand the situation better. I have talked with local authorities, notably the territorial administrator and local chiefs about the problems that currently exist here, in order to see what solutions can be found" Mr. Meece explained.

In Kitchanga, many of the Special Representative's interlocutors raised the problem of continuing insecurity and spoke of attacks launched by armed men against camps for internally displaced persons, as well as numerous other serious violations of human rights. They also expressed fears of possible future resumption of hostilities in the region.

Mr. Meece addressed the population, saying: "If some were tempted to use violence, they should know that this would not help them to resolve their problems (...) Everyone must negotiate (...) It is absolutely important for people to seek to resolve their problems through peaceful means and dialogue. The people of this region have suffered too much and too long from violence. This violence must be brought to an end," he said. In his message to the Congolese people, the Special Representative also stressed that "MONUSCO forces and the FARDC are determined to protect civilians and to respond to any attempt to resume violence," the Special Representative stressed in his message to the Congolese population. He insisted that it was necessary for everyone at all levels to engage in promoting dialogue so that peaceful solutions could be found to the problems, because only in this way people will be able to live together.

Upon his return to Goma on Saturday in the late afternoon, the Special Representative continued his talks with the Congolese authorities and the MONUSCO team of North Kivu.