Kinshasa, 24 April 2009 - During his visit to North Kivu, Alan Doss, Special Representative of the UN Secretary General in the Democratic Republic of Congo, condemned the attacks on civilians in the two Kivu provinces by the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR). “These criminal acts demonstrate the criminal nature of the FDLR and their desperate position as they continue to undermine the sovereignty of the DRC and the well being of its people.” PRESS RELEASE
The Special Representative went on Tuesday 23 April last to Kanyabayonga and Luofu, two localities in North Kivu that have suffered recently from FDLR attacks. Mr. Doss was able to hear the concerns of the civilian population, and he assured them that MONUC in support of the DRC Armed Forces (FARDC) would do the maximum to put an end to these brutal acts.
« FDLR troops that remain in Congo must disarm and return home. MONUC is ready to help them return in full security. These attacks demonstrate again that the FDLR is not interested in peace,” said Mr. Doss. He also expressed his solidarity to the local population, and in particular the victims and their families.
During the visit, Mr. Doss also had meetings with the civilian and military authorities, where MONUC’s support to the FARDC in operations against the FDLR was discussed.
The operations have pushed the FDLR back into the forest, where they have not been able to retake strategic positions. Mr. Doss welcomed the efforts of the FARDC at Luofu, where the FDLR have been displaced from the village.
At Kanybayonga, Mr. Doss spoke with General Amuli of the FARDC and commander of operations against the FDLR. The Special Representative hailed the good cooperation between the Blue Helmets and the FARDC, and reaffirmed the “engagement of MONUC to support the Congolese authorities in their efforts to eradicate the FDLR threat from eastern DRC.”
Conscious of the FARDC’s resource difficulties, Mr. Doss said that MONUC would do its best to assist the FARDC, as they had already done with logistics, fuel and rations. At the same time he insisted on the necessity for the FARDC troops to maintain strict discipline and a respect for human rights, in order to have a good relationship with the local population.
Before returning to Kinshasa today, Mr. Doss inaugurated an isolation room (for patients with suspected contagious diseases) of the Level 3 hospital in the Superior Commerce Institute of Goma University.
In the presence of the vice governor of North Kivu, Mr. Doss also inaugurated a basketball court for the students. The project was financed by the MONUC Quick Impact Projects (QUIPS), and executed by the Indian Blue Helmets of MONUC’s North Kivu brigade.