Operation ‘Divine Force’

Goma, 6 July 2011 - The area of Lukweti/Mutongo, that lies between Masisi and Walikale territories, in Nord Kivu province, has in recent times been a battlefield for different armed groups. These battles, the root causes of which are mainly tribal, have sadly left in their trails virtually empty villages. More than 20,000 people have been displaced and their plight is being aggravated by among other things, reported incessant sexual assault by the armed groups.

The situation was not getting any better and so the North Kivu Brigade of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUSCO) had to move in. In doing so, it launched two-day back to back airborne missions on 03 and 04 July involving seven helicopters in the areas

Code named Operation "Divine Force," the operation's main task was to demonstrate the resolve of the peacekeepers to ensure the protection of the civilian population.

The North Kivu Brigade Commander himself, Brigadier-General Chandi Prasad assumed the overall command of the mission. He was in the Airborne Command Post while his deputy, Col Sanjay Singh, who is also the Brigade's Chief of Staff, led the ground forces.

Immediately after landing, the troops sealed off the area of operation and secured both the civilian population and the Joint Protection Team that accompanied them to investigate some of the reports that had been coming out of the area.

It was the first time they went to this armed groups invested area and the period on the ground afforded them the opportunity not only to see but to find a lasting solution to the interminable worried of the civilian population.

Maj Vijay Kumar Sharma/ MONUSCO