Goma, 21 February 2008 - Alan Doss, Special Representative of the UN Secretary General in the Democratic Republic of Congo, concluded a two day work visit to North Kivu province in eastern DRC. The aim of the visit was to evaluate the evolution of the situation on the ground, with Congolese civil and military authorities, as well as MONUC civil and military officials, the United Nations system representatives and members of the international facilitation team.

Mr. Doss was accompanied by the new regional Representative of Office of the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR), Mr. Mohamed Boukkry, who was making his first working visit to North Kivu.

Mr. Doss had discussions with the Minister for International Cooperation Raymond Tschibanga, on the progress in the peace process discussions.

With General John Numbi, who is commander of joint DRC/ Rwanda military operations in the east, the delegation reviewed the state of operations against the combatants of the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), as well as what is envisaged for the phase of the consolidation of peace.

It was specified that MONUC continued to give logistics, transport and medical support to the DRC Armed Forces (FARDC) engaged in operations against the FDLR.

On Saturday 21 February last, Mr. Doss and Boukkry, accompanied by General Bipin Rawat, Commander of MONUC's North Kivu brigade, visited Pinga, a small town in Masisi territory located approximately 150 km north of Goma.

MONUC has a South African Blue Helmets base in Pinga, supported by MONUC Civil Affairs and DDRRR (Disarmament Demobilization, Repatriation Resettlement and Reintegration) teams.

The FARDC recently redeployed troops in Pinga to consolidate the restoration of State authority and to reinforce the protection of civilians. MONUC is helping with this deployment and coordinates its activities with the Congolese soldiers, with the aim of protecting the town's 10,000 inhabitants, as well as 6,000 displaced persons who settled there recently.

Upon returning from Pinga, Mr. Doss spoke to the press where he condemned the exactions perpetrated by the FDLR, in particular their occupation of important strongholds. "The FDLR must understand that they are no longer welcome on Congolese soil," he underlined.

In the last few weeks, many FDLR troops have chosen to disarm and return in peace and dignity with their dependents to their place of origin, via MONUC's DDRRR programme.

Many thousands of civilian refugees have also returned, with the assistance of the UNHCR. Mr. Doss launched an urgent appeal to the combatants who remain in the DRC to follow their example.

Mr. Doss said he was happy to have been able to visit Pinga and meet the inhabitants to listen to their concerns, and to see their appreciation of the protection efforts of both MONUC and the FARDC.

The security situation in Pinga illustrates one of the major challenges MONUC faces. Pinga is in the middle of a zone which, until recently, was among the principal strongholds of the FDLR.

These combatants, driven out by the coalition forces, have returned to their old stronghold many times to harass the civilians, to threaten them and make serious exactions, including looting, rape and murder.

During his visit to Pinga, the village chiefs of the area explained to him why the populations of their villages fled towards other localities to escape the FDLR's threats and exactions. Mr. Doss also met with the FARDC officer responsible for the unit which is currently in place to protect the village.

MONUC South African officers based in Pinga also reported to Mr. Doss on the human rights abuses by the FDLR, such as death threats, rape and looting.

The Blue Helmets explained to the Special Representative the actions that they carry out to protect the population, including robust day and night patrols; regular meetings between the Blue Helmets, local representatives and the joint of protection team; and the installation of an early warning system.

MONUC's Blue Helmets are also helping to facilitate the disarmament and the repatriation of FDLR troops. The chief DDRRR officer in Pinga also explained his team's efforts to encourage FDLR troops to disarm and return to Rwanda, despite the pressures of their criminal leaders.