UN
United Nations Peacekeeping
3 Mar
2009
Investigations into the alleged massacres in Gobu: Monuc travels to the scene by river
A MONUC multidisciplinary mission, on board six ships, left Tshomia Wednesday morning for Gobu to verify the information on the massacres reportedly committed in the district of north east Bunia. MONUC Spokesman, Hamadoun Touré, made the announcement during the weekly press conference.
The river option prevailed following eight fruitless landing attempts by air due to bad weather and site topography, he explained. The board of enquiry will verify the allegations on the massacres that reportedly claimed dozens of victims in Gobu.
The Spokesman also announced the continuation of the deployment of MONUC troops in the rest of Ituri. « We reached Mahagi and by late March, MONUC will deploy its troops in several other districts», he said.
Mr. Touré also recalled that the Head of MONUC, William Lacy Swing, has been in New York since Tuesday, where he is attending the annual meeting of the Special Representatives of the United Nations Secretary General throughout the world. He is due to brief the Security Council on the DRC situation and peace process on 11 February, he further said.
Furthermore, following the gunfire in Bukavu on Tuesday, MONUC held mediation between the 10th military region Commander and the Governor of Bukavu. «Calm has returned to Bukavu and a bloodbath has been avoided», the Spokesman declared.
Updating on the disarmament, demobilization, repatriation, resettlement and reintegration (DDRRR) of the foreign armed groups by MONUC, Mr. Touré announced that 6400 armed elements have returned to their respective countries to date. Two thousand Burundian ex-combatants of the Forces de Défense de la Démocratie (FDD), led by the ex-rebel Pierre Nkuruziza who has joined the Burundian Government, also voluntarily returned home, concluded the Spokesman.
The Spokesman also announced the continuation of the deployment of MONUC troops in the rest of Ituri. « We reached Mahagi and by late March, MONUC will deploy its troops in several other districts», he said.
Mr. Touré also recalled that the Head of MONUC, William Lacy Swing, has been in New York since Tuesday, where he is attending the annual meeting of the Special Representatives of the United Nations Secretary General throughout the world. He is due to brief the Security Council on the DRC situation and peace process on 11 February, he further said.
Furthermore, following the gunfire in Bukavu on Tuesday, MONUC held mediation between the 10th military region Commander and the Governor of Bukavu. «Calm has returned to Bukavu and a bloodbath has been avoided», the Spokesman declared.
Updating on the disarmament, demobilization, repatriation, resettlement and reintegration (DDRRR) of the foreign armed groups by MONUC, Mr. Touré announced that 6400 armed elements have returned to their respective countries to date. Two thousand Burundian ex-combatants of the Forces de Défense de la Démocratie (FDD), led by the ex-rebel Pierre Nkuruziza who has joined the Burundian Government, also voluntarily returned home, concluded the Spokesman.
