The first field visit of the Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Mr. Maman S. Sidikou, was to Beni where he arrived on Friday 4 December 2015 and was welcomed at the Mavivi airport by the MONUSCO head of office for Beni-Butembo, Jacob Mogen, and by civilian and military staff.

At the MONUSCO base, he was briefed on the socioeconomic and security situation, before heading to the city hall to meet the mayor. After the meeting he interacted with the local press and then with civil society representatives.

Discussions with his Congolese interlocutors revolved around the precarious security situation in the area. They said that MONUSCO can do more and suggested that a large-scale operation be conducted to neutralize the armed groups still active in Beni territory, including Ugandan ADF rebels. Local authorities also called for reinforcing communication between MONUSCO and its different Congolese partners, and sharing information on the

UN Mission’s mandate and the activities undertaken by its different components.

In response to these concerns, the Head of MONUSCO assured his interlocutors of UN troops’ commitment alongside the FARDC to neutralizing the armed groups; the need for conducting more in-depth reflection on a possible Jihadist threat; and finally, with regard to communication, he said everything will be done to improve the situation.

Mr. Sidikou then travelled Oicha, a town located some 30 km from Beni Town, which had recently suffered an attack attributed to Uganda ADF rebels, in which a number of civilians had been killed. During the visit, Mr. Sidikou met with the territorial administrator to evaluate the security situation in the area, and then answered questions from journalists.

The last leg of the visit was to Eringeti, and for good reason. A week earlier, suspected ADF rebels had carried out a violent attack in Eringeti, prompting a military response by UN forces alongside the FARDC, which had helped to regain control of the town.

Unfortunately the attack had left a heavy toll with about ten homes and shops and the local health center torched, and seven civilians and one Malawian peacekeeper killed.

The delegation held an informal meeting with the population, before visiting the health center of Eringeti where patients had been savagely killed by the ADF. Mr. Sidikou seized this opportunity to re-express orally his condolences to the victims’ families and the local authorities of Beni.

Alain Coulibaly