Kinshasa, 10 May 2009 - Alan Doss, Special representative of the UN Secretary General in the DRC, firmly condemns the latest criminal act perpetrated by troops of the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) in Butolonga. "This act is another example of the criminal character of this movement and clearly shows that the FDLR are above the law," he said.

On the night of May 8 last, at 2am, FDLR troops attacked the village of Butolonga located southwest of Kanyabanyonga, firing shots and setting fire to houses.

Informed of the situation, the local MONUC commander and the assistant commander of sector 12 of the DRC Armed Forces (FARDC) in Kanyabanyonga immediately dispatched a strong mixed patrol to the scene.

One hour later they noted that the village was empty, 131 houses had been burned and two people identified as FARDC soldiers had been killed.

Upon seeing the patrol, the villagers who had taken refuge in the bush returned.

The joint MONUC/FARDC team remains in the village to reassure the population, to ensure their security and examine the ways and means for long term security in the area.