Uvira, 10 June 2014 – An inter-disciplinary MONUSCO team travelled to Mutarule on Thursday 10 June, in the territory of Uvira, South Kivu province to assess the security and humanitarian situations after the inter-communal clashes that erupted there on the night of 6 - 7 June 2014 that left 33 dead.

Joined by MONUSCO Force Commander, General Carlos Alberto dos Santos Cruz, the Team noticed that Mutarule village was largely deserted and 10 houses were torched. Villagers, mostly from the Bafuliru community found refuge at Sange Nyakabere I and II, in Lubero and Uvira, where they are in need of assistance in terms of shelters, food and clothes. Members of the Barundi and Banyamulenge communities did not flee but had to restrict their movements, fearing attacks on their way to farms, markets and schools.

MONUSCO static combat base was deployed between Mutarule 1 and 2 to avert acts of violence. The UN Mission also met with Bafuliru and Barundi/Banyamulenge community leaders to renew dialogue and definitely resolve the protracted crisis pending investigations by local authorities with MONUSCO’s support in order to establish responsibilities and punish those to be found guilty.

Laurent Sam Oussou/MONUSCO