UN
United Nations Peacekeeping
3 Mar
2009
MONUC condemns Attack on a Group of Humanitarian Workers in Ituri
The United Nations Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUC) condemned Wednesday the Monday 15 November 2004 attack against an International Non-Government Organisation ''Première Urgence/First Emergency'' in Bukiringui district situated a hundred kilometres South of Bunia.
Addressing the Weekly Mission's press conference, MONUC Spokesman, Mamadou Bah, indicated that ''the attack targeted four members of the NGO on board a vehicle'. Three villagers were killed and a humanitarian worker wounded by bullets, he further said.
The attack took place in a zone under control of the Ngiti ethnic armed troops led by the 'Forces de Résistance Patriotiques de l'Ituri (FRPI)'. The group carried out a number of attacks against international NGOs during the last two months, Mr. Bah said, noting that MONUC condemns the attack, having occurred at a time when the Ituri key armed groups are engaged in the DCR process, Disarmament and Community Reintegration. MONUC urges these groups to abide by their commitment. '' Either, they control their armed troops and respond for their act or do not and still are responsible'', MONUC Spokesman declared.
Mr. Bah further updated the press on the Ituri DCR process. On Tuesday 16 November 2004, 535 ex-combatants adhered to the process and 3,035 weapons and ammunition were altogether collected.
Furthermore, Mr. Bah told the press that the Ituri FARDC-initiated military operation ten days ago, in Walungu district supported by MONUC peacekeepers was going smoothly. ''It is hailed by the population'', he assured, recalling that the operation's objective was double fold: ''on one hand, to restore security where a high number of exactions was committed by Congolese and Rwandan armed groups and, on the other hand, to persuade Rwandan combatants to return home on the voluntary basis within the framework of the DDRRR''.
MONUC appealed to the FARDC leadership to equip the troops deployed to the ground with consistent means, notably ammunition, means of communication and logistical support, including regular salary payment.
With respect to the above operations, MONUC Chief of Staff, Colonel Paddy Tabor, pointed out that the operation was organised by FARDC. MONUC's support is part of its mandate to back the DRC Transitional institutions. Accordingly, the Mission deployed two infantry companies to participate in join patrols with FARDC in Walungu. Similarly, a joint command centre was set up to coordinate the operations. Colonel Tabor indicated that the first phase of the operation that consists in the sensitisation of armed groups would last three months.
Asked by the journalists to know whether in the second phase force would be used to disarm the foreign armed groups, MONUC Chief of Staff said such a responsibility lies with the FARDC that should determine the nature of the operations to be conducted during the second phase. MONUC will continue assisting the Congolese army in this task, he said.
MONUC Spokesman further announced that the United Nations Security Council is due to visit the Great Lakes region, notably Uganda, Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Burundi 20-26 November 2004. The delegation will be comprised of representatives of the 15 member states to the Security Council, led by French ambassador to the United Nations, Mr. Jean-Marc de la Sablière, Mr. Bah added.
The Security Council members are expected in Kinshasa on Sunday 21 November for a 48-hour visit. They are due to visit Bukavu on Tuesday 23 November 2004. MONUC Spokesman said that this is ''the fifth time the Security Council mission would have visited the Great Lake region, including the DRC''. This is proof of the importance the Security Council attaches to the region.
The attack took place in a zone under control of the Ngiti ethnic armed troops led by the 'Forces de Résistance Patriotiques de l'Ituri (FRPI)'. The group carried out a number of attacks against international NGOs during the last two months, Mr. Bah said, noting that MONUC condemns the attack, having occurred at a time when the Ituri key armed groups are engaged in the DCR process, Disarmament and Community Reintegration. MONUC urges these groups to abide by their commitment. '' Either, they control their armed troops and respond for their act or do not and still are responsible'', MONUC Spokesman declared.
Mr. Bah further updated the press on the Ituri DCR process. On Tuesday 16 November 2004, 535 ex-combatants adhered to the process and 3,035 weapons and ammunition were altogether collected.
Furthermore, Mr. Bah told the press that the Ituri FARDC-initiated military operation ten days ago, in Walungu district supported by MONUC peacekeepers was going smoothly. ''It is hailed by the population'', he assured, recalling that the operation's objective was double fold: ''on one hand, to restore security where a high number of exactions was committed by Congolese and Rwandan armed groups and, on the other hand, to persuade Rwandan combatants to return home on the voluntary basis within the framework of the DDRRR''.
MONUC appealed to the FARDC leadership to equip the troops deployed to the ground with consistent means, notably ammunition, means of communication and logistical support, including regular salary payment.
With respect to the above operations, MONUC Chief of Staff, Colonel Paddy Tabor, pointed out that the operation was organised by FARDC. MONUC's support is part of its mandate to back the DRC Transitional institutions. Accordingly, the Mission deployed two infantry companies to participate in join patrols with FARDC in Walungu. Similarly, a joint command centre was set up to coordinate the operations. Colonel Tabor indicated that the first phase of the operation that consists in the sensitisation of armed groups would last three months.
Asked by the journalists to know whether in the second phase force would be used to disarm the foreign armed groups, MONUC Chief of Staff said such a responsibility lies with the FARDC that should determine the nature of the operations to be conducted during the second phase. MONUC will continue assisting the Congolese army in this task, he said.
MONUC Spokesman further announced that the United Nations Security Council is due to visit the Great Lakes region, notably Uganda, Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Burundi 20-26 November 2004. The delegation will be comprised of representatives of the 15 member states to the Security Council, led by French ambassador to the United Nations, Mr. Jean-Marc de la Sablière, Mr. Bah added.
The Security Council members are expected in Kinshasa on Sunday 21 November for a 48-hour visit. They are due to visit Bukavu on Tuesday 23 November 2004. MONUC Spokesman said that this is ''the fifth time the Security Council mission would have visited the Great Lake region, including the DRC''. This is proof of the importance the Security Council attaches to the region.
