Goma, 1 August 2013 – The MONUSCO Force Commander General Carlos Alberto dos Santos Cruz told journalists in Goma on Thursday that the measure establishing a security zone in the Goma-Sake area aims to protect over one million people living in the area.

In a press briefing held a few hours before the expiration of MONUSCO's 48-hour ultimatum for any armed groups or individuals in the security zone to disarm voluntarily, he said the measure allows armed groups or individuals in the area to hand in their weapons at specified collection points and thus contribute to bringing security to North Kivu.

"In including the Goma-Sake area in the security zone, MONUSCO wants to protect civilians in this area where the population is estimated at over 1 million," General dos Santos Cruz stated.

"We will go step by step," he said, and added that "The Congolese are tired of war and need to resume their normal lives.

The press briefing was attended by reporters from a variety of media outlets including Al Jazeera, CCTV Africa, Mishapi TV, BBC, Le Figaro, Basque TV, Radio Okapi, and Reuters.

Martha Biongo/MONUSCO