Kinshasa, September 28, 2008: The MONUC Force Commander on mission in Goma, capital of North Kivu, discussed the chief of staff of the DRC Armed Forces (FARDC) and his assistants with the aim of explaining the importance of the zones of separation and their implementation details. The military delegations must implement the agreement on precise details.

Exchange of gunfire took place this morning in the zone of Nyanzale in North Kivu, some 80km from the provincial capital of Goma. A MONUC patrol sensitised the population of Kibirizi on the Nyanzale road, on the various phases of the disengagement plan and of the zones of separation, reassuring them that the presence of the FARDC wil continue in this zone.

In Rutshuru territory in North Kivu, MONUC Blue Helmets interposed between the belligerents on the hill of Himbi, and in the locality of Rugari. MONUC troops thus put an end to the exchanges of gunfire in these two zones.

In the same way, the Blue Helmets stationed in Ntamugenga were able to alleviate the tensions between the CNDP and the FARDC by means of mediation. Following an agreement with the national army, MONUC maintains the positions occupied in the past by the FARDC in this disputed locality, since the resumption of clashes on August 28 last.