Kinshasa, 27 September 2008: A reinforced group made up of 40 members of the MONUC Indian police contingent was deployed this 27 September 2008 in Goma, capital of North Kivu province. This deployment is within the framework of MONUC's support for the stabilisation and the security of eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.

In accordance with its mandate, the MONUC police unit will give its support to the Congolese National police force in Goma, by means of joint patrol, security, and law and order operations. It will also be implied in the reinforcement of the capacities of the mobile police units in the east, through specialised training.

Despite repeated calls from MONUC for an end to hostilities, clashes continued in North Kivu. The locality of Kabizo, about sixty kilometers from Goma, is occupied by the FARDC since the evening of 26 September last.

In the zone of Nyanzale, some 80km from Goma, important troop movements were observed on both sides. MONUC forces interposed between the belligerents, in order to protect the populations from the urban centres of Katsiru, Nyanzale and Tongo.

MONUC Mobile Operational Bases continue their mediation activities with the soldiers directly implied in these confrontations. MONUC Blue Helmets reinforced their numbers in the localities of Ntamugenga and Mutabo, after the redeployment of the FARDC noted last on September 26, with an aim of ensuring the security of the civilian populations.

In addition, a planning meeting for military operations aimed at the ex-FAR/Interahamwe, was held today in Goma, capital of North Kivu, between the MONUC Force Commander, the chief of Staff of the DRC Armed Forces (FARDC) and their respective regional commanders.