UN, DR Congo agree on strengthening joint operation against armed groups

UN News Centre
June 8, 2009

Photo:
MONUC completes training of two more FARDC integrated battalions.

8 June 2009 – The United Nations peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and the Congolese military (FARDC) have agreed to strengthen their joint operation against illegally-armed groups in the vast African nation’s far east.

UN spokesperson Farhan Haq said Alan Doss, the Secretary-General’s Special Representative, visited the provinces of North and South Kivu over the weekend with the Congolese defense minister and other senior officials to assess the progress of a campaign against the notorious ethnic Hutu militia known as the Democratic Liberation Forces of Rwanda (FDLR).

“The two sides agreed to strengthen the planning and execution of their military and other joint tasks,” Mr. Haq said.

Further, the mission, known as MONUC, and the FARDC discussed improvements in the protection for civilians in the area, as well as the disarmament and repatriation of the militia.

Mr. Haq also said MONUC has welcomed the 30-year sentences handed down last Friday by a Congolese military court to five militia fighters found guilty of a spree of rape and other sexual crimes. The five men were also sentenced to pay financial damages to their more than 135 female victims.

He added that the mission assisted with the investigations and monitored the trial to ensure it complies with international standards.

Past stories on this issue:
UN mission in DR Congo assists military in offensive against Hutu rebels