Kinshasa, 13 March 2009 - On the night of the 12/13 March 2009, two groups of FDLR combatants attacked a DRC Armed Forces (FARDC) base, east of the locality of Pinga. With the support of MONUC forces, the FARDC repulsed the attackers who retreated to the surrounding forest.

There was no loss of life during these confrontations, but several children who fled the combat fell into a river and were presumed drowned. Approximately 300 civilians found refuge around MONUC's Mobile Operational Base in the locality.

MONUC deployed a group of blue helmets to reinforce its presence in the areas, and increased patrols to better ensure the security of the village and its inhabitants.

"Our message to the FDLR must be very clear" said Alan Doss, Special representative of the UN Secretary General in the DRC.

"With the legitimate authorities of the DRC, MONUC will act against the criminal activities of the FDLR, to protect civilians, and to cut the FDLR's illegitimate sources of finance. Those who are still under the influence of the criminal commanders of the FDLR are encouraged to surrender."

Support to the Stabilisation plan

Since 21 February last, 120 Congolese National Police (PNC) officers were deployed with the support of MONUC and the UN Operations Projects Office (UNOPS) on the Rusthuru-Ishasha road northeast of Goma, as well as 60 in Rutshuru centre (60km from Goma), 30 in Kinyiandoni, 30 in Nyamilima, 60 on the Sake-Masisi road and 60 others in the town of Sake itself.

Other deployments are pending in the following areas: 60 in Masisi, 30 in Matanda and 30 in Bunagana, a frontier town with Uganda near the Rwandan border.

MONUC Police chief Sudesh Kumar is currently on mission in North Kivu province, within the framework of the Stabilization and Development programme for eastern DRC.

He is evaluating the security situation with the Congolese authorities and is taking a tour of the priority roads where the PNC are deployed.

He will also discuss with the authorities of the possibility to deploy MONUC's Formed Police Units (FPU) in Rutshuru and Masisi. In Beni, he will identify the site which must receive another redeployed FPU from western DRC.