UN
United Nations Peacekeeping
3 Mar
2009
MONUC's preliminary report rules out the possibility of genocide in Bukavu
The MONUC Human Rights team dispatched to Bukavu to investigate the allegations of human rights abuses in the region has come to the conclusion that there was no genocide in Bukavu as alleged by Laurent Nkunda, the dissident general of the Congolese Armed Forces (FARDC).
Mr. Roberto Ricci, the head of MONUC's Human Rights section, reports that the preliminary information gathered by the investigative team suggests that the recent fighting affected all the communities in Bukavu without distinction, more particularly the civilians. All the belligerent factions committed exactions in the town, he further said, indicating that from 26 May to 1 June, when the town was under control of the troops of the 10th military region, some FARDC troops conducted targeted attacks on civilians. MONUC counted 4 dead and 12 injured as a result of the exactions. Mr. Ricci said there was no indication that the DRC Armed Forces (FARDC) masterminded the attacks. He however underscored the goodwill of the commander of the military region, general Mbuza Mabe, to keep order and protect all civilians indiscriminately. He likewise transferred 51 Banyamulenge's families to MONUC on May 29 for protection. MONUC however registered cases of looting and rape committed by the FARDC troops.
From 2 to 10 June, the town of Bukavu was under both the control of General Nkunda and colonel Jules Mutebutsi. During that period, Mr. Ricci indicated, the dissident military troops of the FARDC committed targeted killings and systematic lootings along with rape and humiliation. 'Those who were opposed to the lootings were killed', Mr. Ricci said, adding that about 147 houses were looted.
Altogether, the fights in Bukavu left 143 victims including 66 dead, 31 cases of rapes' MONUC's preliminary report says. Investigations will proceed in Cyangungu after securing a clearance from Rwandan Government to access its territory.
While briefing on the military situation in eastern DRC, MONUC's military spokesman, commander Abou Thiam declared that the situation was calm, more particularly in Kamanyola where fighting was reported between the loyalist forces and the dissidents. He underscored that MONUC has contributed to the protection of communities and helped limit the lootings. As a result 1,300 people were accommodated in MONUC compound. The Mission also provided transportation assistance to FARDC to allow them to visit troops. That is part of the coordinating measures reached by General Iliya Samailia of MONUC and admiral Mata Liwanga, FARDC chief of staff, commandant Thiam disclosed.
The three weeks of violence in Bukavu had serious repercussions on the vulnerable people who were assisted by humanitarian agencies in eastern DRC, according to Ms. Patricia Tome, head of MONUC Public Information Division. The weakening of the peace process will affect the future of the Congolese child, Mr. Tome said, recalling that the Day of the African Child will be celebrated on 16 June.
Ms. Tome used the opportunity to call on the Congolese people to reflect on the future of the transition in the Democratic Republic of Congo, wondering, in light of the recent events, whether the transition's key players would be able to carry through the process. This transition, she indicated, has no alternative. She condemns the attitude of those who want 'the transition's boat to sink along with everything on board: the people and the properties; this would enable them to pick up, fraudulently, all the debris. Those people are unfortunately among 'those participating in the transition, those not participating, those manipulating directly or indirectly the situation, all those who do not believe in the DRC and have no faith in the Congolese people and in their capacity to mobilise for a noble cause, such as peace'.
For Ms. Tome, the renewed fighting in the East has one clear objective: to destabilise, jeopardize and undermine the transition. 'Therefore, the perpetrators are using every mean available: ethnicity, putsch, lies, rumour; they fuel fear and hatred, in a nutshell, all the means are good.'
Responding to the criticisms against MONUC, that the Mission does not meet the populations' expectations, Ms. Tome said that MONUC was not free from blame. 'Indeed, no one is free from criticisms, we do assume ours, when they are justified but not when they aim to destabilise a whole process, such as the transition, which has yet to demonstrate all its credibility, through the performance of its actors in the parliament, government, army and police. Ms. Tome warned that 'if MONUC leaves, all the rest will also leave, the international assistance first and then the elections'.
From 2 to 10 June, the town of Bukavu was under both the control of General Nkunda and colonel Jules Mutebutsi. During that period, Mr. Ricci indicated, the dissident military troops of the FARDC committed targeted killings and systematic lootings along with rape and humiliation. 'Those who were opposed to the lootings were killed', Mr. Ricci said, adding that about 147 houses were looted.
Altogether, the fights in Bukavu left 143 victims including 66 dead, 31 cases of rapes' MONUC's preliminary report says. Investigations will proceed in Cyangungu after securing a clearance from Rwandan Government to access its territory.
While briefing on the military situation in eastern DRC, MONUC's military spokesman, commander Abou Thiam declared that the situation was calm, more particularly in Kamanyola where fighting was reported between the loyalist forces and the dissidents. He underscored that MONUC has contributed to the protection of communities and helped limit the lootings. As a result 1,300 people were accommodated in MONUC compound. The Mission also provided transportation assistance to FARDC to allow them to visit troops. That is part of the coordinating measures reached by General Iliya Samailia of MONUC and admiral Mata Liwanga, FARDC chief of staff, commandant Thiam disclosed.
The three weeks of violence in Bukavu had serious repercussions on the vulnerable people who were assisted by humanitarian agencies in eastern DRC, according to Ms. Patricia Tome, head of MONUC Public Information Division. The weakening of the peace process will affect the future of the Congolese child, Mr. Tome said, recalling that the Day of the African Child will be celebrated on 16 June.
Ms. Tome used the opportunity to call on the Congolese people to reflect on the future of the transition in the Democratic Republic of Congo, wondering, in light of the recent events, whether the transition's key players would be able to carry through the process. This transition, she indicated, has no alternative. She condemns the attitude of those who want 'the transition's boat to sink along with everything on board: the people and the properties; this would enable them to pick up, fraudulently, all the debris. Those people are unfortunately among 'those participating in the transition, those not participating, those manipulating directly or indirectly the situation, all those who do not believe in the DRC and have no faith in the Congolese people and in their capacity to mobilise for a noble cause, such as peace'.
For Ms. Tome, the renewed fighting in the East has one clear objective: to destabilise, jeopardize and undermine the transition. 'Therefore, the perpetrators are using every mean available: ethnicity, putsch, lies, rumour; they fuel fear and hatred, in a nutshell, all the means are good.'
Responding to the criticisms against MONUC, that the Mission does not meet the populations' expectations, Ms. Tome said that MONUC was not free from blame. 'Indeed, no one is free from criticisms, we do assume ours, when they are justified but not when they aim to destabilise a whole process, such as the transition, which has yet to demonstrate all its credibility, through the performance of its actors in the parliament, government, army and police. Ms. Tome warned that 'if MONUC leaves, all the rest will also leave, the international assistance first and then the elections'.
