Uvira, 12 April 2012 – Following reports of irregular troop movements between 2 and 8 April in the localities of Fizi, Uvira, Baraka and Luilmbaa, Sud-Kivu province, the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUSCO) deployed troops to protect frightened civilian populations, and to secure strategic areas of the province.

In Baraka, the Force intervened to secure the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). Also, Baraka-based NGOs seeking to move to Bukavu were escorted there by elements of the Pakistani contingent. MONUSCO also intervened to secure some of Uvira town's financial institutions which were at risk of attack. These operations were carried out in full coordination with the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC).

During a working visit to Sud-Kivu, the Deputy Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General in the DRC, Ms. Leila Zerrougui, welcomed « the prompt action taken by MONUSCO in response to this situation ». The local authorities also expressed their satisfaction with the MONUSCO Force's intervention. "MONUSCO has played a crucial and useful role that helped to safeguard the local institutions, ensure the protection of civilians, and avoid chaos in Fizi and Uvira territories, » the territorial administrator of Uvira said, speaking in the presence of representatives of Baraka- and Uvira-based civil society organizations.

Laurent Sam OUSSOU/ MONUSCO