Goma, 22 July 2013 - All through the week, from 16 to 19 July, the new MONUSCO Head of Office in North Kivu, Mr. Ray Virgilo Torres, had a series of meetings with local opinion leaders that were dominated by security concerns due to the resumption since 14 July of fighting between the M23 movement and the national armed forces (FARDC).

On 16 July, Mr. Torres visited the mayor of Goma at his office to discuss the general situation in the city. Then, at MONUSCO's headquarters, throughout the week, he received delegates of youth associations, women's groups, opposition parties and some religious leaders.

When will we see a return to peace in North Kivu, after nearly two decades of conflict almost without interruption? And when will the United Nations Intervention Brigade become operational? Such were the main concerns raised by the youths, women and others, expressing worries about renewed fighting between the FARDC and M23 rebels in Nyiragongo territory since 14 July. Mr. Torres seized the opportunity to provide further clarification on the mandate of MONUSCO.

The intervention brigade, he explained, is at 75% of its operation capacity. And as it is composed of infantry, artillery, logistics, it needs all of its components to be in place for it to operate effectively," he said.

Pending its full deployment, continued Mr. Torres, the brigade is working to secure the town of Goma and its population, the Goma-Sake axis and the town of Sake, as well as displaced persons camps. However, the brigade stands ready to intervene, if necessary, to back the FARDC, he added.

Beyond the role the brigade is called upon to play in the short term, Mr. Torres underscored the importance of working in the long term on the long term, including through building the capacities of the national armed forces and restoring State authority in all parts of North Kivu. And this is something that MONUSCO has been doing for several years, he pointed out.

On the role of MONUSCO in the current operations in Nyiragongo territory, Ray Torress clearly stated: "We come in support to the FARDC; and when it comes to joint operations, the roles are shared, but this specific case, it is the FARDC who are on the front lines," But logistically, "we are providing them with rations, water, and casualties evacuation," he added.

The different delegations expressed their appreciation of the "fruitful exchanges" and encouraged MONUSCO to continue informing the population on its mandate, in order to avoid false rumors.

MONUSCO/Sy Koumbo S. Gali