Kinshasa, 10 October 2014 – Martin Kobler, Head of MONUSCO, strongly condemns the killing of nine civilians by suspected members of the Ugandan rebel group, ADF, at Oicha, 30 km north of Beni, in eastern DRC.

“I am deeply shocked by this ignoble attack which shows the need to continue and reinforce the fight against armed groups in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The violence must end. MONUSCO will do everything in its power to help the Government neutralize ADF and all other rebel groups that terrorize the civilian population in the DRC,” said Martin Kobler.

The attack occurred in the night of 8 to 9 October, when rebels invaded Oicha and killed 9 people from two families, including children.

The attack caused a massive displacement of the local population from Oicha to Beni. Between 3,000 and 5,000 civilians have arrived in Beni over the last 24 hours.