UN
United Nations Peacekeeping
3 Mar
2009
The Special Representative condemns the attack on MONUC helicopter in Kasenyi
The Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary General for the Democratic Republic of the Congo, William Lacy Swing, describes the 16 January 2004 attack on MONUC helicopter near Kasenyi village, 50 km South of Bunia as « very serious and unacceptable». The elements of the Front des Nationalistes Intégrationnistes (FNI) were believed to be involved in the attack, which claimed no casualties. The aircraft which suffered no damage, made a safe landing on Kasenyi.
MONUC MI 25 helicopter came under five shootings while flying to Kasenyi following an attack on a Parti pour l?Unité et la Sauvegarde de l?Intégrité du Congo (PUSIC)?s camp by the FNI in Tagbaa, South of Kasenyi.
Mr. Swing also strongly condemns any other attack on the civilian population. « We are going to use all the necessary means in our possession to protect the populations, our helicopters and troops. That is what the chapter VII is about», he declares in the strongest term.
MONUC chief summoned the FNI leader, Floribert Ndjabu Ngabu in Kinshasa, to reiterate the condemnation and make it clear to him that it was « an attack against the international community, the population and the peace process». The FNI chief, in turn, condemned the incident through Radio Okapi and promised to do his utmost to prevent any repetition of such an attack in future. He declared himself ready to cooperate with MONUC in order to restore peace in the territory under his control.
Mr. Swing also strongly condemns any other attack on the civilian population. « We are going to use all the necessary means in our possession to protect the populations, our helicopters and troops. That is what the chapter VII is about», he declares in the strongest term.
MONUC chief summoned the FNI leader, Floribert Ndjabu Ngabu in Kinshasa, to reiterate the condemnation and make it clear to him that it was « an attack against the international community, the population and the peace process». The FNI chief, in turn, condemned the incident through Radio Okapi and promised to do his utmost to prevent any repetition of such an attack in future. He declared himself ready to cooperate with MONUC in order to restore peace in the territory under his control.
