MONUSCO supports the Congolese Government to restore peace and security in the country

7 Aug 2012

MONUSCO supports the Congolese Government to restore peace and security in the country

Kinshasa, 14 June 2012 – The Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUSCO), Mr. Roger Meece, presented to the UN Security Council on 12 June 2012 the last Secretary-General's report on the situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

In his presentation, Mr. Meece noted, inter alia, that considerable progress has been made recently in reducing the threat posed by the FDLR and other armed groups in eastern DRC. However, this progress has been halted by the mutiny led, among others, by Bosco Ntaganda and Sultani Makenga, and involving a group of ex-officers and soldiers from the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC).

Mr. Meece expressed his deep concern over the deteriorating security situation in North and South Kivu, resulting from this mutiny, which was launched by the "M23" movement. These events have caused important displacement and sufferings for the populations. Mr. Meece also mentioned the large-scale murders of civilians and other serious human rights violations being committed in the Kivus by armed groups, including the FDLR and the « Raiya Mutomboki », due in part to the security vacuum resulting from the mutiny of the « M23 ».

MONUSCO strongly condemns all attacks against civilians as well all attempts by the armed groups, including the « M23 » movement, to undermine the authority of the Congolese State. MONUSCO renews its call for all armed groups to immediately end their activities and lay down their weapons. MONUSCO also calls on the UN Member States of the region to investigate and take all the necessary steps to end any support to these groups.

Within the framework of its civilian protection and stabilization mandate, MONUSCO continues to work closely with the Government, providing support to the FARDC to curb negative forces and restore security in the areas affected by the recent resurgence of violence.

The full text of Mr. Meece's presentation before the Security Council is available at MONUSCO's Spokesperson's and Media Relations Office