Goma, 21 mars 2011 – The Uruguayan contingent rotated its troops on 21 March following the completion of their 12 month-service in Goma, North Kivu province.

The first deployment of Uruguayan servicemen in North Kivu dates back to 2008.

In 2009, a group of Uruguayan peacekeepers was deployed to Kimua locality, deep into the Walikale forest, an area which, for more than 10 years, was largely in the control of combatants of the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR).

The presence of Uruguayan peacekeepers in the region has contributed to improving the protection of the civilian population, and has helped create the security conditions conducive for the voluntary repatriation of FDLR elements to their country of origin.

Uruguayan peacekeepers have been serving with the UN Mission in the country since 2001. They have been deployed to several areas in eight provinces, including Kalemie (Katanga province), Mbandaka (Equateur), Manono (Katanga), Kindu (Maniema), Uvira (South Kivu), Bunia (Oriental Province), Bukavu (South Kivu) and Kinshasa.

Sylvestre Kilolo/ Radio Okapi/ MONUSCO