Kinshasa, September 26, 2008: A peaceful demonstration in favour of peace in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) took place today on the boulevard of June 30 in the capital Kinshasa. Nearly 3,000 people demanded the cessation of hostilities in eastern DRC and the reestablishment of peace throughout the national territory. At the demonstration, some uncontrolled elements were found throwing projectiles at MONUC vehicles that passed by.

MONUC patrols in North Kivu noted the occupation of the locality of Rwanguba, 6 kms from Nyanzale, by the troops of the Congrès National pour la Défense du Peuple (CNDP). Constant gunfire was also reported in this locality, as well as in the zones of Buranda, Mushango and Rujebeshe.

The locality of Kabizo, which was yesterday under the control of the DRC Armed Forces (FARDC), was today under the control of the CNDP. MONUC continues sensitisation activities on the ground with the soldiers directly implied in these operations, with an aim of respect of the ceasefire.

The FARDC continue to occupy the localities of Bambo, Butare, Buranda and Mashango inside the zones previously occupied by the CNDP. In addition, MONUC notes the effective redeployment of the FARDC out of the localities of Ntamugenga and Mutabo in the territory of Rutshuru, as envisaged by the disengagement plan.