UN
United Nations Peacekeeping
3 Mar
2009
MONUC backs FARDC in Battle against Armed Groups in Walungu
MONUC backs FARDC in Battle against Armed Groups in Walungu
The United Nations Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUC) hails the DRC Transition Government's commitment to fight against the abuses on civilians committed by the foreign armed groups in Walungu, South Kivu province. ''We stand ready to support this move within the framework of our mandate authorising MONUC to assist the DRC Transition Government and therefore its army known as the FARDC'', MONUC spokesman, Mamadou Bah declared during the Mission's weekly news conference on Wednesday.
The United Nations Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUC) hails the DRC Transition Government's commitment to fight against the abuses on civilians committed by the foreign armed groups in Walungu, South Kivu province. ''We stand ready to support this move within the framework of our mandate authorising MONUC to assist the DRC Transition Government and therefore its army known as the FARDC'', MONUC spokesman, Mamadou Bah declared during the Mission's weekly news conference on Wednesday.
Mr. Bah recalled that MONUC Force Commander, General Sumaïla Iliya, and the FARDC Chief of staff, General Kisempia Sungilanga, met at MONUC headquarters in Kinshasa a week ago. They discussed disarmament and repatriation (DDRRR) of the foreign armed still operating in the DRC.
This meeting was followed by another one between Kivu Brigade Commander, General Jan Iceberg and 10th Military region commander, General Mbuja Mabe. As a result, the FARDC, with MONUC support, started deploying in Walungu district since 8 November 2004, Mr. Bah said, adding that both parties have been conducting joint motorised and non-motorised patrols with the sole objective of ''halting the gross human rights abuses on civilians in Walungu from the armed gangs operating in that area with total impunity''.
MONUC Spokesman says the operation consists firstly in '' a sensitisation and persuasion campaign'' targeting the foreign armed groups, notably the Rwandans (ex-FAR, Interahamwe, etc.) to opt for a voluntary disarmament through the DDRRR programme (Disarmament, Demobilisation, Repatriation, Resettlement and Reintegration). MONUC urges them to seize this last chance, Mr. Bah said.
MONUC also addressed a clear message to all the armed groups of Congolese origin operating in Eastern DRC to immediately stop their illegal activities and either integrate the regular army or return to civilian lives through the DDR programme (Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration).
MONUC spokesman quoted the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) as reporting that the humanitarian situation was rather alarming in the Walungu district, highlighting that the population was facing serious malnutrition problems. ''They have stopped cultivating the soil following systematic lootings of their crops by different armed groups'', he said, indicating that the zone is virtually inaccessible to the relief workers due to insecurity caused by the armed groups.
On the Disarmament and Community Reintegration process (DRC) in Ituri, Mr. Bah indicated that the process was ''progressing slowly but surely''. As of Tuesday, 9 November, 387 ex-combatants have joined the process and 2,599 weapons and ammunition were gathered.
The integration of the ex-combatants into the national army constitutes another alternative offered to the Ituri armed groups. In this context, FARDC Chief of staff, General Kisempia is planning to integrate 200 ex-combatants into the national army, Mr. Bah said, noting that arrangements are being made for the integration of those who have complied with the formalities of disarmament, identification and registration in the transit sites.
The Spokesman also reported information on the rearmament of militias in Ituri, notably those of the 'Union des Patriotes Congolais' (UPC) led by Thomas Lubanga and the 'Forces Armées Populaires du Congo' (FAPC).
Mr. Bah also reported allegations on the presence of 200 troops of the Rwandan Armed Forces in the Bunyangana district, North Kivu, recalling that in April 2004, MONUC did note the presence of Rwandan troops in the same area. ''A Joint Verification Mechanism comprised of DRC, Rwanda and MONUC representatives should verify the information on the ground'', he indicated.
Referring to the DRC electoral process, MONUC spokesman confirmed a parallel deployment of the Independent Electoral Commission (CEI) and MONUC Electoral Department on the ground. As of to date, he declared, the CEI has established 8 representatives in administrative towns in provinces. The CEI representatives are mainly tasked to put in place liaison offices, to sensitise populations, to prepare a consultative framework with electoral players in provinces, and to identify centres for voters' census or registration.
As far as MONUC is concerned, its Electoral Division has already established its offices in Bukavu, Bunia, Goma, Kalémie, Kananga, Kindu and Kinshasa. Deployment in the provinces will be completed by late November 2004.
This meeting was followed by another one between Kivu Brigade Commander, General Jan Iceberg and 10th Military region commander, General Mbuja Mabe. As a result, the FARDC, with MONUC support, started deploying in Walungu district since 8 November 2004, Mr. Bah said, adding that both parties have been conducting joint motorised and non-motorised patrols with the sole objective of ''halting the gross human rights abuses on civilians in Walungu from the armed gangs operating in that area with total impunity''.
MONUC Spokesman says the operation consists firstly in '' a sensitisation and persuasion campaign'' targeting the foreign armed groups, notably the Rwandans (ex-FAR, Interahamwe, etc.) to opt for a voluntary disarmament through the DDRRR programme (Disarmament, Demobilisation, Repatriation, Resettlement and Reintegration). MONUC urges them to seize this last chance, Mr. Bah said.
MONUC also addressed a clear message to all the armed groups of Congolese origin operating in Eastern DRC to immediately stop their illegal activities and either integrate the regular army or return to civilian lives through the DDR programme (Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration).
MONUC spokesman quoted the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) as reporting that the humanitarian situation was rather alarming in the Walungu district, highlighting that the population was facing serious malnutrition problems. ''They have stopped cultivating the soil following systematic lootings of their crops by different armed groups'', he said, indicating that the zone is virtually inaccessible to the relief workers due to insecurity caused by the armed groups.
On the Disarmament and Community Reintegration process (DRC) in Ituri, Mr. Bah indicated that the process was ''progressing slowly but surely''. As of Tuesday, 9 November, 387 ex-combatants have joined the process and 2,599 weapons and ammunition were gathered.
The integration of the ex-combatants into the national army constitutes another alternative offered to the Ituri armed groups. In this context, FARDC Chief of staff, General Kisempia is planning to integrate 200 ex-combatants into the national army, Mr. Bah said, noting that arrangements are being made for the integration of those who have complied with the formalities of disarmament, identification and registration in the transit sites.
The Spokesman also reported information on the rearmament of militias in Ituri, notably those of the 'Union des Patriotes Congolais' (UPC) led by Thomas Lubanga and the 'Forces Armées Populaires du Congo' (FAPC).
Mr. Bah also reported allegations on the presence of 200 troops of the Rwandan Armed Forces in the Bunyangana district, North Kivu, recalling that in April 2004, MONUC did note the presence of Rwandan troops in the same area. ''A Joint Verification Mechanism comprised of DRC, Rwanda and MONUC representatives should verify the information on the ground'', he indicated.
Referring to the DRC electoral process, MONUC spokesman confirmed a parallel deployment of the Independent Electoral Commission (CEI) and MONUC Electoral Department on the ground. As of to date, he declared, the CEI has established 8 representatives in administrative towns in provinces. The CEI representatives are mainly tasked to put in place liaison offices, to sensitise populations, to prepare a consultative framework with electoral players in provinces, and to identify centres for voters' census or registration.
As far as MONUC is concerned, its Electoral Division has already established its offices in Bukavu, Bunia, Goma, Kalémie, Kananga, Kindu and Kinshasa. Deployment in the provinces will be completed by late November 2004.
