MONUC welcomes the FARDC’s “zero tolerance” policy

9 Jul 2009

MONUC welcomes the FARDC’s “zero tolerance” policy


Kinshasa, 9 July 2009 -
Alan Doss, Special Representative of UN Secretary General in the DRC, and MONUC Force Commander General Babacar Gaye welcomed the press release published on 5 July 2009 by the FARDC Command, following its adoption of a zero tolerance policy towards perpetrators of criminal acts and acts of indiscipline within the DRC Armed Forces (FARDC).

In the press release currently being disseminated, the FARDC Command firmly reminded unit commanders as well as troops that strict respect of human rights and protection of populations constitute the sacred duty of the national army, in time of war as in time of peace, and that they must show discipline in performing their missions.

The FARDC Command also drew the attention of all unit commanders to their responsibility to exercise control over troops under their command, and ensure strict implementation of instructions from the top command.

In addition, the FARDC Command stressed that henceforth officers would assume full responsibility for maintaining discipline, as would be held responsible before military courts for any criminal acts committed by their subordinates. Specific mention was made to "rapes, subjection of civilians to forced labour, theft, extortion, torture, looting, destruction of agricultural fields or livestock, murder or any other reprehensible acts".

The Special Representative noted with satisfaction that the announced policy was in line with the commitments that the Congolese authorities, civilian and military, had made during their discussions with the different members of MONUC management and with the UN Security Council delegation during the latter's recent visit to the DRC.

Mr Doss said: "The scrupulous implementation of the principles announced by the [FARDC] Command would reassure the populations, and would greatly contribute to protecting civilians. Respect for humanitarian law and for human rights by the FARDC is an important prerequisite for MONUC's support to the ongoing operations".

MONUC welcomes the FARDC Command's zero tolerance policy which, according to the press release, was adopted following instructions from the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces of the DRC, President Joseph Kabila.

MONUC expressed its strong hope that the policy would be fully and immediately brought into action. MONUC reiterated its support to the FARDC Command's and the Congolese Government's efforts to reinforce the FARDC's discipline and ethics as well as their professional capacities, including in the area of justice.