Members of the United Nations Stabilization Mission’s senior military command met in Goma on 9 and 10 May 2014 under the chairmanship of the Force Commander Carlos Alberto dos Santos Cruz to discuss civilians’ protection and security which are both central to MONUSCO’s mandate.

On the 1^st day of the meeting, General dos Santos Cruz congratulated the Brigades and Sector Commanders on the work achieved up to date, before giving them directives on the implementation of the new Security Council Resolution 2147 as well as the redeployment from the west to the east. With respect to the Force assistance to DRC Armed Forces (FARDC), he insisted on a frank and close collaboration on issues like civilians’ protection and fight for the eradication of armed Groups.Moreover, General dos Santos Cruz instructed Brigades and Sector commanders to support subordinate chiefs of units in the daily discharge of their duties allowing them more initiatives.

General dos Santos Cruz held a lengthy discussion with contingent commanders on 10 May on issues relating to professionalism and discipline to observe by the UN troops.With regard to sexual abuses, he insisted that “zero tolerance” approach be strictly applied. Force Redeployment to the East, Brigade Intervention, collaboration with FARDC as well as administrative and logistic issues were also included in the agenda of the meeting.

Major Pamphile Kekere Dotou/MONUSCO