Wednesday 7 December 2005 press conference was jointly held by the Director MONUC Public Information and Spokesman for the United Nations Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kemal Saïki, and Lieutenant-Colonel Frédéric Médard (Military Spokesman).

MONUC welcomes the arrest and detention of Justin Ngole Dalo, alias Koliba – leader of the Lendu militia of the Front Nationaliste et Intégrationiste (FNI, Nationalist and Integrationist Front), which used to operate in Ituri. Last Friday, Koliba was placed under a provisional arrest warrant for "assassination and war crimes" by the Congolese military justice system, in Kitona, Bas-Congo province. This Monday, 5 December, MONUC facilitated the transfer of Koliba to the Centre Pénitentiaire et de Rééducation de Kinshasa (CPRK, Kinshasa Penitentiary and Re-education Centre).

Since May 2005, Koliba had been the object of a summons issued by the prosecutor of the Bunia "High Court" (Tribunal de Grande Instance), in Ituri for "assassination, abduction and extortion". Koliba is suspected of having orchestrated a series of massacres in Ituri, in January and February 2005, including the massacre last 15 January 2005 of about a hundred persons in the locality of Gobu. Koliba is also suspected of direct involvement in the organisation of the ambush that cost nine Bangladeshi blue helmets their lives on 25 February 2005, near Kafé, a locality of Ituri. This arrest constitutes an important step in the fight against impunity, and the Mission will provide full assistance to the judicial authorities so that Koliba can receive a fair trial and answer for these crimes before the court.

MONUC Division of Human Rights carried out investigations into the 4 November 2005 gang rape of several women by ex-combatants awaiting demobilisation at Bokala, near Mbandaka.

The attacks against the women of Bokala were sparked by anger among the demobilised combatants, after one of them had accidentally died from electrocution on 4 November. He was electrocuted because of an electrical connection that a civilian had illegally installed on the motor-pump that sends water to the CONADER centre.

The MONUC investigation confirmed:
- that an unspecified number of the demobilised committed human rights violations against the civilian who had installed the electrical connection by beating him and burning his house;
- that at least 14 women (including at least 2 minors) were raped in the evening of 4 November 2005;
- that the alleged perpetrators of these acts were released by the CONADER between 7 and 12 November and are now apparently in the town of Mbandaka.

It is worth noting that at the time of the facts, 481 ex-combatants, candidates for demobilisation, had since 11 September 2005 been staying at the CONADER orientation and demobilisation centre at Bokala, awaiting their safety net. The extension of their stay (beyond the anticipated 5 days deadline) was due to technical and logistical problems. Between 7 and 12 November 2005, these ex-combatants, having received their safety nets, finally left the centre. There was no action taken by the authorities, including those of CONADER, to identify and arrest those responsible for the rapes. The cases were referred to both civilian and military authorities, since the suspected perpetrators' status was yet to be clarified.

MONUC continues the deployment of materials for the referendum vote and continues to work in close collaboration with Independent Electoral Commission (CEI) for voter registration in the Bandundu and Equateur provinces. More than 24.4 million electors have already registered throughout the DR Congo. In Equateur, about 78% of voters have already registered. In Bandundu, where the operations started on 25 September 2005, initial logistical difficulties have been overcome and the registration rate in this province is satisfactory, with over 100000 people registered daily. In total, 2 million voters have already registered in Bandundu, that is, 74 % of potential electors of this province. Mr William Swing, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for the DRC, met with parliamentarians of Bandundu yesterday and informed them of these results – results that are comparable to those of South Kivu.

Mr Swing accompanied two US senators on a working visit, as they travelled to North Kivu and Ituri. During this visit, organised by the United-States embassy in the DR Congo, Messrs Sam Brownback (Rep.) of Kansas and Richard Durbin (Dem.) of Illinois took an interest in the situation of displaced persons and in Congolese national initiatives for the fight against HIV/AIDS.

From 23 November through 6 December, the North Kivu brigade carried out a total of 724 air and ground patrols and reconnaissance missions. Operation NORTH NOVEL, conducted from 30 November through 1 December in Bukimba, Kamananga and Katahunda villages (50 km Northwest of Goma) was a success. Indeed, an Indian company, about 120 soldiers strong, set up a temporary operation base at Bitonga, and then conducted a cordon and search operation lasting two days, in order to collect firearms from the civilian population. A total of 69 weapons were recovered. Operation SAFE HAND, identical to NORTH NOVEL, but conducted in Rutshuru sector, helped to recover 65 guns from civilian hands. Also, the temporary base, set up at Kichanga (40 km from Masisi) since the first week of November, allowed reconnaissance missions to be conducted in order to determine the locations of ADF/NALU and FDLR camps in the region. Finally, following the deployment of the Forces Armées de la République Démocratique du Congo (FARDC, Democratic Republic of the Congo Armed Forces) in the region of Isala, the ADF can no longer move round the Virunga Park.

Also, yesterday, Tuesday 6 December, General Gaye presided over a military ceremony in Beni. The Force Commander paid tribute to the 2nd Indian Battalion for its effective action in ensuring protection for the population, but also for its development initiatives including the rehabilitation of schools or health centres. General Gaye praised the work of the FARDC and Congolese National Police, who, alongside the blue helmets, participated in this ceremony.

In Ituri, on 30 November, a 16-truck convoy of MONUC started transporting Congolese troops of the 6th integrated brigade, from the Luberizi "brassage" or integration camp, in South Kivu, to Ituri, their deployment area. Once the troop transfer is over within the first days of December, the arrival of this new brigade in Ituri will help increase FARDC pressure on elements of Peter Karim, a militia leader operating in the region of Nioka and Fataki.

On 1 December, after receiving information about the presence of militiamen in Singa village (about 16 km southwest of Marabo and 35 km from Bunia), the Nepalese battalion conducted a cordon and search operation. Because of the deployment of the FARDC toward Djugu territory, the blue helmets intervened alone. During the 48-hour operation, no militia presence was detected.

Moreover, in order to guarantee freedom of movement for the population, the Pakistani blue helmets carried out operations for securitisation and control of the markets in Nizi and Mongbwalu, as part of Operation Ituri Equalized. A Bangladeshi patrol accompanied a humanitarian team, as they travelled in the region of Similiki.

On 2 December, the Moroccan battalion provided security and escort for an important delegation led by Mr William Swing, who was accompanied by two US senators.

Elsewhere in the province, the Senegalese battalion ensured guarding of electoral materials at the Bangboka airport, and of members of the NGO CARITAS. This same unit provided escort for the Electoral Division, as it travelled in the region, including to Bokungu, 350 km from Kisangani, and to Kindu.

In South Kivu, the Pakistani contingent, who have completed one year of presence in the DRC, have entered their rotation phase since 30 November. However, the missions for securitisation of the agglomerations have continued at the same tempo of operations. In Bukavu, on 2 December, the 2nd Pakistani battalion controlled access to the city, during Operation "Bonne Nuit" or Good Night, in which the FARDC participated. In Uvira, the 3rd Pakistani battalion also carried out static control duties. At the same time, the 4th Pakistani battalion and FARDC elements conducted joint patrols on the outskirts of Walungu. Operation 'Bonne Nuit" was renewed throughout the week in the agglomerations of Bukavu, Adikivu, Kavumu, Kamanyola, Sange, Panzi and Walungu.

The situation concerning MONUC deployment in Katanga remains unchanged. 10 teams of military observers are in the province: Kalemie (2 teams); Lubumbashi (2); Manono (1); Kongolo (1); Moba (1); Pueto (1); Kamina (1); Nyunzu (1). The Uruguayan company of Kalemie has deployed a platoon in Kolwezi. A South African company, currently in Bunia, is to be transported to Lubumbashi on 12 December and will stay there until the arrival of the Beninese contingent.