Kinshasa, 14 January 2014: The Head of MONUSCO, Martin Kobler, strongly condemned the attack carried by Mayi Mayi Cheka against Pinga, 80 kilometers northeast of Walikale, North Kivu province, on the evening of Monday, 13 January.

The FARDC retaliated and chased the armed group from the village after a 30 minutes gunfight.

According to the latest MONUSCO figures, four government soldiers were killed and three civilians injured during the confrontation.

“I present my condolences to the families of the victims and to the Congolese people. This latest incident proves that there cannot be any cohabitation nor negotiations with armed groups. MONUSCO will use all its might to consolidate the recent military gains” said Martin Kobler.

Around 1000 civilians took refuge near the MONUSCO base in Pinga during the attack.