MONUC WELCOMES THE TRANSFER BY THE GOVERNMENT OF THE DRC, OF GERMAIN KATANGA, FARDC GENERAL AND FORMER MILITIA LEADER IN ITURI, INTO THE CUSTODY OF THE INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT (ICC).

Kinshasa, 19 October, 2007. – MONUC welcomes the transfer, on 18 October, of Germain Katanga, a General of the FARDC* and former leader of a militia group in the North East district of Ituri, by the Government of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) into the custody of the International Criminal Court (ICC). Katanga faces charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity, committed in 2003 in Ituri.

Germain Katanga is the second Congolese suspect transferred to the world court, after Thomas Lubanga

MONUC congratulates the Government of the DRC for taking this important step in the fight against impunity, and for its continued cooperation with the ICC. MONUC pledges its support in helping the Government strengthen its own internal judicial proceedings for such crimes, considering that the jurisdiction of the ICC is complementary to the primary jurisdiction of Congolese courts.

MONUC reiterates its willingness to continue to assist the DRC's government attempts to bring to justice all those who have been responsible for serious human rights violations, in conformity with its mandate.