MONUSCO will not take the place of DRC’s forces to defend the country

30 nov 2012

MONUSCO will not take the place of DRC’s forces to defend the country

Matadi, 26 November 2012 – Senior staff members of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUSCO) and Bas-Congo authorities attended a meeting held in the provincial capital Matadi on 26 November, at the request of MONUSCO, to discuss the mission's mandate.

MONUSCO was represented in this meeting by the provincial coordinator of the UN joint Office, Hendrik Bruyn, along with heads of various sections of the UN mission. The workshop, which was part of MONUSCO awareness-raising campaign, spelled out to the provincial authorities the mission's role in the country. The participants included the mayor, Jean Marc Nzeyidio, the heads of the three districts of Matadi, the city's police commanders, representatives of civil society organizations as well as local media professionals.

In light of the current situation prevailing in the country, especially the recent hostilities in eastern DRC between Government forces and M 23 rebels, the participants were told that MONUSCO's role is not to defend and preserve the country's territorial integrity. This role is the responsibility of the national defense forces.

Maïmouna Traoré/ MONUSCO