UN
United Nations Peacekeeping
Verbatim of MONUC weekly Press Briefing of 4 May 2006
Good morning as well to Ms Sonia BAKAR, Deputy Director of MONUC Human Rights Division who is with us today to brief us on the human rights situation in Mitwaba, Katanga, as we promised last week.
The overall security situation in DRC has remained calm despite last week's new tensions in the East where FDLR combatants, visibly cornered, intensified acts of terror against civilians in Bunyakiri and Kahuzi Biega Park. The military spokesman will soon go back over it.
We will start with the last week news by Jean-Tobie, Deputy Spokesman.
Thank you Kemal. The Independent Electoral Commission has issued the so-much expected electoral calendar. MONUC applauds the publication of the electoral calendar and considers that the DRC electoral process is now irreversible. We do hope that in three months, the Congolese people will be given the possibility to influence the course of their history, for the first time since independence. MONUC hopes that Congolese people would take advantage of the three months ahead to hold free, democratic and transparent elections that will reflect Congolese people's will. Civic education must now be reinforced and voters must be further sensitized in order to make the right choice.
A new period therefore opens up before us; MONUC hopes that people will cast a responsible vote in all serenity and the major stakeholders, say the Medias, political parties, independent candidates or authorities, will refrain from any act likely to exclude others, intimidate or create troubles.
Lots of sacrifices were made to reach this stage; it would be regrettable, even dangerous that irresponsible attitudes call into question such a unique and historical opportunity for the Congolese people, that is, the elections. The International Community has never before put lots of means as it has done in this wide scale electoral operation, since the creation of the United Nations.
MONUC wishes to recall that political parties and candidates' obligation to refrain from using children for the electoral purposes. The Media Authority, in recent guidelines of April 2006, clearly said, "Political parties, groups or independent candidates must refrain from using under-aged children for the purposes of the electoral propaganda." (Art. 26)
Moreover, the new DRC constitution defines the under-aged children as any person aged less than 18 (Art. 41). Unfortunately, we learnt that in Goma and Beni, political parties have distributed T-shirts and posters to school children aged between 13 and 17 with their political parties' slogans. In Mbuji-Mayi, some political parties announced their intention to use children, "those in streets and those who will volunteer to participate in political events;" they even argue that children that do not enjoy any protection from the Government must make their voices heard and defend their rights.
In spite of all that, MONUC remains confident with respect to the Transition. South Africa has gone beyond its official commitments vis-à-vis the DRC. European Union decided to contribute troops to secure the DRC elections. MONUC continues to back FARDC troops on the ground to get the better of the armed gangs. MONUC further trains the Congolese National Police, notably within the framework of the securitization of the elections; already 35,000 police officers have been trained of the 40,000 planned.
It has been reported that the third electoral kits (ballot boxes, polling booths and other equipments) will shortly reach the whole of the DRC territory. Candidates' registration for the Provincial elections started on Tuesday: every effort is being made to make the Congolese go to the polls on 30 July for free and democratic elections. The publication of the electoral calendar is an indication that the electoral process is well and truly under way.
The UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, the Under Secretary General, Jean-Marie Guehenno and earlier, Ambassador Jean-Marc de La Sablière declared: no one must be excluded from the process, and not one should either exclude themselves.
MONUC expressed serious concerns about the abusive and arbitrary use of force recently committed by the Police Force and FARDC. In Bukavu, to mention few examples, in just a week, two MONUC local employees were arrested by PIR (Rapid Intervention Police); one of the employees was doing his work quietly at home, when police officers broke in, beat him, handcuffed him and arrested him. The incident happened two weeks after another one in Kisangani in which a journalist of Radio Okapi got beaten up by the GSSP elements. MONUC therefore appeals to the authorities to take the necessary and usual steps to continue protecting its staff.
MONUC backs authorities' efforts, within the framework of securitizing the country's electoral process, more particularly in the town of Bukavu, launched a month ago. These operations conducted jointly by the Police and the FARDC helped to control insecurity in this town. We continue to deplore abuses and exactions committed by those supposed to protect the population. While applauding the authorities' efforts, MONUC is doing everything in its power to protect the populations, and requests that human rights be respected.
Again in respect of the security situation, a raid by armed elements was reported in the region last week in the region of Langabe, near Aba, in the Eastern Province, in the Congolese territory. MONUC reinforced its military presence there. To date, we are not in position to confirm the identity of those elements.
The United Nations wish to recall that any intervention of a foreign army or threat of such an intervention would constitute a violation of the territorial sovereignty and integrity of the DRC. The United Nations call on all the interested parties to resort to bilateral and multilateral mechanisms put in place with a view to addressing security issues in the region, instead of the unilateral actions that would be contrary to the principles laid down in the United Nations charter and the agreements concluded between the countries of the Great Lakes region.
Now, with Lieutenant-Colonel Frédéric Médard, the details of this past week's highlights on the military front:
On 26 April, to MONUC military observers stationed at Aba, the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (FARDC) reported an incursion by Uganda armed forces (UPDF) in Haut Uélé. According to these reports, the incursion took place between 25 and 26 April, resulting in clashes between the FARDC and this armed group. On 27 April, MONUC deployed some 40 Blue Helmets in order to monitor the unfolding of the situation, in coordination with the FARDC. Following its visit to the scene, a verification mission concluded that the FARDC reports were credible. Furthermore, there are indications of a reinforcement of Ugandan forces along the Congolese border.
On 27 April, the Pakistani company stationed at Kagaba supported two FARDC companies which were able to regain control of the hills dominating Rojoko village, on the road between Bogoro and Geti. On 28 April, a clash erupted between the FARDC and militiamen in the area of Bokuku, 4 kilometres northwest of Tchomia. MONUC's support here also helped the FARDC in reoccupying their positions. An attack helicopter and four armoured vehicles provided support for this action which resulted in several deaths in the ranks of the ex-militiamen. Two Congolese soldiers who were wounded during the clash were by air evacuated to Bunia.
On 29 April, on the road from Bavi to Medu, a MONUC reconnaissance patrol came under fire. The Blue Helmets responded, causing the armed men to flee. MONUC is stepping up its patrols in Djugu and Mahagi territories in order to protect the local population from harassment by armed elements.
In North Kivu province, MONUC forces accord particular attention to Masisi and Walikale territories, following rumours about alleged military activities there. MONUC informs and will inform the authorities and the population on a situation that, to this day, should not be a subject of any concern on their part.
On the other hand, the operation North Network, which was launched on 26 April, helped to destroy the FDLR camp at Rive, 9 km northeast of Katweguru. 6 FDLR combatants and their dependents entered the repatriation process. The FARDC reported that they had killed 11 Rwanda Hutu rebels. MONUC-FARDC joint patrols are being conducted in the area in order to prevent Rwandan Hutu rebels from returning to this area.
In Rutshuru territory, Rwandan Hutu rebels attacked FARDC camps at Kishero, Katwegeru and Nyamalima. The 2nd FARDC brigade, which is deployed there, defended all its positions, inflicting significant losses on the assailants, in addition to contributing to securing the local population.
The aggressiveness of Rwanda Hutu combatants appears to be a direct consequence of the military pressure put on them. MONUC will maintain the tempo of its patrols and deployment of mobile bases so as to protect the civilian population. There will be no respite for these Rwandan Hutu combatants – the objective being their disarmament and repatriation.
A similar situation also prevails in South Kivu province where Rwandan Hutu rebels of the FDLR have launched attacks against he civilian population in the region of Kanyoka. The Blue Helmets have therefore intensified their patrols to reduce the acts of these groups while the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (FARDC) were reinforcing their troops. It should be noted that following the operation South Sustain, the FARDC remained deployed in Ekingi, Manga and Chibororo villages where the Pakistani contingent were able to provide medical care for the families of these FARDC soldiers.
In the context of the operation South Safe Path, the South Kivu brigade each day ensures free circulation for the local population in the Kahuzi-Biega Park. This securitisation effort is also conducted at night, after a rapid reaction patrol on 2 May beat back Rwandan Hutu combatants who launched a nightly attack on Kitanga, a village located at the entrance of the park. After having routed the assailants, the Pakistani Blue Helmets remained in the village until dawn.
In Bukavu town, the situation remains calm thanks to the joint efforts by MONUC and the Congolese authorities. The night security operations also concern the province's main agglomerations.
In Katanga province, 100 Bolivian Blue Helmets are now deployed in Kamina where they protect the electoral infrastructure. Military observers are monitoring the situation in Kolwezi which is currently calm. A detachment of 50 Uruguayan Blue Helmets took over from South African Blue Helmets in Mitwaba. The South African reserve battalion has begun it rotation. The 750 troops of the Beninese battalion are now deployed between Kalemie and Manono and conduct patrols in their area.
In the lead-up to elections, MONUC forces will continue their effort to further improve the military situation in the DRC and create everywhere a stable environment allowing the Congolese to go to the polls.
MONUC has sufficient troops which it is in a position to reinforce according to tactical needs. On this account, particular attention is given to the Ituri district as well as the Kivus (Walunga and Kanyola regions) where significant efforts must be put in place before the start of the electoral campaign.
Finally, high levels of behaviour and discipline will increasingly be expected from the FARDC. For, in the eyes of the Congolese population, the acts of indiscipline committed by some of FARDC units overshadow completely the value of their military commitment against negative forces.
On the Human rights front, for logistical reasons, we cannot, as promised last week, present the report on the human rights situation in the DRC. This will be for next week, but today, Madame Sonia Bakar will discuss the situation in Mitwaba in Katanga.
Before we take questions, this is just to remind you that this Wednesday, 3 May, the world is celebrating the World Press Freedom Day. Copies of the United Nations Secretary-General's message should have been distributed to you by now. On this occasion, MONUC would like to reiterate its unflinching attachment to freedom of the press, because a world without a free press is not a free world; and we know where the absence of freedom can lead. Once again, MONUC seizes this opportunity to call the Congolese authorities to protect journalists in the exercise of their duties and, as Kofi Annan states in his message, to ensure that journalists have the right "to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers", as set out in Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Journalists are our eyes, our mouths and our ears. They represent one of the key actors of change. Seeking to muzzle the press is turning one's back to democracy and freedom.
