UN
United Nations Peacekeeping
3 Mar
2009
MONUC's Ituri Brigade conducts joint operation with the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic
of the Democratic Republic of the Congo
Monuc's Ituri Brigade conducts joint operation with the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo
Kinshasa, D.R. Congo, 26 April 2005: During the night of 22 April, Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (FARDC) troops based in Kagaba, 37 kilometres south of Bunia, in the country?s north-east district of Ituri, came under attack by a group of armed elements. These elements were remnants of the former FRPI/FNI militias, with women, children and inhabitants of the surrounding villages accompanying them in the attacks that continued through 23 April. Immediately, the Ituri Brigade of MONUC set up a military operation to back up the FARDC.
On 24 April, Bangladeshi-led peacekeepers from the contingents of Pakistan, Nepal and Morocco, along with MI-25 attack helicopters and MI 17 transport helicopters, launched a special operation in Kagaba to neutralise these armed elements who, under the command of such recalcitrant officers as Koliba, Matata and Abei, refused to join the National Disarmament and Community Reintegration (DCR) programme. They aimed to protect the region and facilitate the return of the inhabitants who had fled the attacks against the FADRC.
In Bogoro, Lakwa and Nombe, these armed elements attacked MONUC troops with light and heavy weapons, prompting violent clashes with the blue helmets. The peacekeepers, backed by MI-25 combat helicopters, fired back with heavy ammunition and evicted the armed elements from these localities.
For two hours, MONUC troops clashed with armed elements, before these elements were flushed out of the locality. These clashes, along with those in Lakwa and Nombe, left several of these armed elements dead or wounded, although the exact number of casualties is yet to be confirmed.
The operation continued trough 25 April and despite sporadic fire exchanges in the morning hours, the situation in Kabaga has stabilised. MONUC troops have deployed in the locality and on the surrounding hills to ensure these elements are neutralised and the displaced population can return home.
MONUC salutes the courage of the FARDC integrated brigade in Ituri, which, despite the logistical difficulties it faces, fought alongside UN troops with determination. The UN mission is pleased with the progress made regarding coordination on the ground.
MONUC reiterates its call for the militia, who are still held hostage by their recalcitrant commanders and who have not yet surrendered their arms, to do so immediately. MONUC calls on the transitional government and on the Lendu transitional authorities to mobilise the Lendu and Ngiti communities so that they may finally have a chance to live in peace in their region.
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Media contact:
- Kemal SAIKI, Director of Public Information ' email : saiki@un.org ' phone : +243 81 890 7506
In Bogoro, Lakwa and Nombe, these armed elements attacked MONUC troops with light and heavy weapons, prompting violent clashes with the blue helmets. The peacekeepers, backed by MI-25 combat helicopters, fired back with heavy ammunition and evicted the armed elements from these localities.
For two hours, MONUC troops clashed with armed elements, before these elements were flushed out of the locality. These clashes, along with those in Lakwa and Nombe, left several of these armed elements dead or wounded, although the exact number of casualties is yet to be confirmed.
The operation continued trough 25 April and despite sporadic fire exchanges in the morning hours, the situation in Kabaga has stabilised. MONUC troops have deployed in the locality and on the surrounding hills to ensure these elements are neutralised and the displaced population can return home.
MONUC salutes the courage of the FARDC integrated brigade in Ituri, which, despite the logistical difficulties it faces, fought alongside UN troops with determination. The UN mission is pleased with the progress made regarding coordination on the ground.
MONUC reiterates its call for the militia, who are still held hostage by their recalcitrant commanders and who have not yet surrendered their arms, to do so immediately. MONUC calls on the transitional government and on the Lendu transitional authorities to mobilise the Lendu and Ngiti communities so that they may finally have a chance to live in peace in their region.
******************************************************************************************
Media contact:
- Kemal SAIKI, Director of Public Information ' email : saiki@un.org ' phone : +243 81 890 7506
