Kinshasa, 15 August 2009 – The Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for the DRC, Alan Doss, has denounced the 11 August attack on the inhabitants of Mpama. "Nothing can justify these crimes committed by armed groups preying on civilians," Mr Doss said.

According to information gathered by MONUC, an armed group launched an attack on Tuesday against the FARDC military camp at Mpama, an isolated and difficult to reach location near mines in Biseye, in the territory of Walikale, North Kivu province. FARDC troops were immediately dispatched to Biseye but the assailants had escaped by the time they arrived.

MONUC provided a medical assistance team to receive the injured at Ishenga. The team treated 11 people, 7 of whom were then evacuated to Walikale for additional care. As a result of the attack, MONUC also reinforced its patrols along the Walikale-Bisiye road.