Kinshasa, 31 January 2009 - "The option of voluntary disarmament, demobilisation, repatriation, resettlement and reintegration (DDRRR) remains fully open to FDLR combatants, despite the joint FARDC/RDF military operations". That is the essence of the message by the head of the DDRRR section of the UN Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUC), Bruno Donat, at a press conference in Goma today.

The press conference was held at the coordination headquarters for MONUC activities in eastern DRC, in the presence of two representatives from the Joint Command Cell for the FARDC/RDF operations, Colonel Augustin Mamba (DRC) and Major Vincent Nyakarundi (Rwanda). Both reinforced the message intended for members of the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda and expressed their support to MONUC's efforts to that effect.

"We still welcome all means aiming to persuade the Rwanda combatants and their dependents to return peacefully to their country," Colonel Mama said. For his part Major Nyakarundi said: "We too would like to see all combatants disarmed without a bullet having to be fired."

Donat also requested the support of the large number of media representatives present: "More than ever we need your assistance in helping us to pass on this important message both within the communities and among the combatants themselves and their dependants. The combatants must know that the gates of all MONUC bases are widely open for them and their dependents. They must also know that we have reinforced the presence of our DDRRR teams on the ground to welcome them".

Currently MONUC maintains bases in North Kivu at Rutshuru, Masisi, Nyabiondo, Walikale, Kanyabayonga, Ngungu, Lubero, Beni and Goma; in South Kivu at Bukavu, Bunyakiri, Uvira and Baraka. The deployment of mobile teams to Nyamilima and Ishasa is under way, and is due soon in Pinga. In addition to these bases, mobile teams stand ready to be immediately deployed to other places if need be.

Donat said to ve very encouraged by the trend observed recently with the doubling of the number of combatants and their dependents joining the DDRRR over the last 10 days.

A telephone number exists now for combatants and their dependents to call the DDRRR teams 24 hours a day, 7days a week, at 0818906607 to assist and facilitate this process for them.