Kinshasa December 26, 2008 -- MONUC is seriously concerned by reliable information from sources according to which troops of the Lords Resistance Army (LRA) fleeing the offensive of the FARDC, UPDF and the South Sudan army coalition on 25-26 December committed exactions and serious human rights violations against the civilian population in Faradje territory, 120km east of Dungu in Orientale province. According to these sources, at least 15 people were found dead in the town of Faradje, where property was looted and destroyed.

At the request of the FARDC Chief of Staff, MONUC transported today a company of Congolese soldiers to the zone, in order to prevent new attacks by the LRA. The FARDC informed MONUC that the UPDF also transported about sixty Congolese troops to Faradje.

Tomorrow another company will be transported towards another city in Haut-Uélé, where the activity of another LRA group has been reported.

MONUC condemns these attacks in the strongest terms and points out the Declaration of the UN Security Council President dated 22 December 2008, where the Council vigorously condemned the attacks conducted by the LRA which permanently threatens security in the area.

The LRA are obviously dispersed after air raids against their bases and are making their escape towards vulnerable populations.

The Mission recalls that the Council invited the States of the area to ensure that any action taken to eliminate the threat of the LRA is taken in respect of international humanitarian law, of international human rights law and the international law of refugees, and to take the appropriate measures to protect civilians.

MONUC continues to closely follow the situation, and will make all efforts to ensure the protection of civilians in the zone, and to facilitate humanitarian aid within the limits of its capacities, as the majority of its Force is concentrated in the Kivu provinces.

The Mission requests the forces taking part in joint operations against the LRA to do the utmost to prevent and stop reprisals against the civilian population.