Goma, 24 November 2012 – A high-level delegation of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) from Kinshasa visited Goma on Saturday 24 November 2012 to enquire about the security situation and examine the preventive measures that could be implemented in response to M23 threats to advance into Bukavu in Sud Kivu, after they seized Goma a week ago.

Led by General Abdallah Wafy, MONUSCO Police Commissioner and ad interim Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General of the United Nations, in charge of Human Rights issues and the Rule of Law, the delegation also included the Director of Mission Support, Paul Buades; MONUSCO Chief of Staff, Ola Almgren; the Director of the Joint United Nations Human Rights Office, Scott Campbell; and the Chief of Security, Philippe Minez.

As soon as they arrived in Goma, members of this delegation met with the military and civilian leadership of MONUSCO in Goma to discuss the prevailing security situation in the region. Later in the afternoon, the delegation met with MONUSCO personnel to express the moral support and encouragement of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General of the United Nations in the DRC, Roger Meece. General Wafy recalled the importance of the presence of MONUSCO and other UN agencies in Goma in particular and Nord Kivu in general. "We have come to support you and to tell you that we will not leave Goma...we also welcome the professionalism that you have and continue to show during this crisis", he informed a very attentive audience.

Later, members of the delegation addressed some of the concerns raised by the personnel, especially those relating to the provision made for their protection as well as that of MONUSCO premises and assets during the crisis.

Jonathan Lorillard/ MONUSCO