UN
United Nations Peacekeeping
3 Mar
2009
Press Briefing - MONUC Chief summons UPC leader to denounce recent attacks on the Ituri Brigade
The Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for the DRC, William Swing, summoned UPC (Union des Patriotes Congolais) leader, Thomas Lubanga, Wednesday to officially apprise him of Monuc indignation at the numerous attacks perpetrated by UPC against MONUC troops these recent days. MONUC?s Spokesman, Hamadoun Touré, made the announcement the same day during the weekly news conference.
''MONUC would not tolerate the concept of uncontrolled armed groups. Militia leaders would account for their troops actions on the ground'', he highlighted. MONUC protest is a response to the series of attacks against the Ituri Brigade. ''MONUC's role in Ituri is to protect civilian populations and to restore peace. It will therefore continue using appropriate retaliatory means for enough is enough', the Spokesman said before adding that MONUC was going to proceed with its mission. He further announced MONUC future deployments to several other districts in Ituri including Mahagi and Aru by March-April 2004.
Moreover, the Spokesman recalled Kigali meeting, last weekend, between Rwandan President, Paul Kagame and the Head of MONUC, William Swing. They discussed how to accelerate the repatriation of the Rwandan combatants still in the Congolese territory. The Rwandan Head of State received Mr. Swing for the fourth time since he was appointed as the head of MONUC in July 2003, said Mr. Touré. This visit is part of the regular contacts between the Special Representative and the Heads of States of the sub-region involved in the DRC situation. Mr. Swing thereafter visited the Mutobo camp where 672 Rwandans from the DRC are cantoned awaiting to be reintegrated into civilian life. He also met with about approximately a hundred child-soldiers about to be demobilized in Ruwengeri
When visiting Kindu last weekend, the Special Representative met with the MONUC contingents on rotation as well as the local civilian and military authorities to inquire about the situation of the Maï-Maï combatants in that zone.
'Mr. Swing is to attend an inauguration ceremony of students' dormitory at Kisangani University next Friday and a joiners' workshop for the death-mute in the same town that was rehabilitated by MONUC Quick Impact Projects (QUIPS)', further announced the Spokesman.
In this context, QUIPS programme manager, Cyriaque Sobtafo, briefed the press on QUIPS programme and its achievements. QUIPS' objectives are to relieve the populations and to support the efforts for the restoration of peace in various areas, particularly health, education, road infrastructures, etc. Projects are implemented by national and international NGOs, religious and government organizations, etc. 'To date, about two million Congolese have benefited from these quick impact project', indicated Mr. Sobtafo.
The Spokesman finally announced the beginning of a training session for 91 urban police elements including two women. The training is due to last seven weeks. He also mentioned the meeting between MONUC CIVPOL Commissioner and the DRC Minister of Interior. They agreed to have a seminar organized for the Congolese national police currently in its reunification phase to lead to the formation of a republican national police force, he concluded.
Moreover, the Spokesman recalled Kigali meeting, last weekend, between Rwandan President, Paul Kagame and the Head of MONUC, William Swing. They discussed how to accelerate the repatriation of the Rwandan combatants still in the Congolese territory. The Rwandan Head of State received Mr. Swing for the fourth time since he was appointed as the head of MONUC in July 2003, said Mr. Touré. This visit is part of the regular contacts between the Special Representative and the Heads of States of the sub-region involved in the DRC situation. Mr. Swing thereafter visited the Mutobo camp where 672 Rwandans from the DRC are cantoned awaiting to be reintegrated into civilian life. He also met with about approximately a hundred child-soldiers about to be demobilized in Ruwengeri
When visiting Kindu last weekend, the Special Representative met with the MONUC contingents on rotation as well as the local civilian and military authorities to inquire about the situation of the Maï-Maï combatants in that zone.
'Mr. Swing is to attend an inauguration ceremony of students' dormitory at Kisangani University next Friday and a joiners' workshop for the death-mute in the same town that was rehabilitated by MONUC Quick Impact Projects (QUIPS)', further announced the Spokesman.
In this context, QUIPS programme manager, Cyriaque Sobtafo, briefed the press on QUIPS programme and its achievements. QUIPS' objectives are to relieve the populations and to support the efforts for the restoration of peace in various areas, particularly health, education, road infrastructures, etc. Projects are implemented by national and international NGOs, religious and government organizations, etc. 'To date, about two million Congolese have benefited from these quick impact project', indicated Mr. Sobtafo.
The Spokesman finally announced the beginning of a training session for 91 urban police elements including two women. The training is due to last seven weeks. He also mentioned the meeting between MONUC CIVPOL Commissioner and the DRC Minister of Interior. They agreed to have a seminar organized for the Congolese national police currently in its reunification phase to lead to the formation of a republican national police force, he concluded.
