UN chief denounces recent violent attacks by armed groups in eastern DR Congo

• news by AUN News correspondent
• Monday, December 12, 2022
• AUN News – ISSN: 2949-8090

Summary:

• Mr. Guterres has spoken out strongly against the attacks that happened on November 29 and 30 in the villages of Kishishe and Bambo in the volatile Rutshuru area in the country’s east.

• At least 131 civilians, including 17 women and 12 children, were murdered, while eight more people were hurt.

• Stop the war right nowThe statement said, “The Secretary-General calls on the M23 and all other armed groups to stop fighting immediately and disarm without conditions.

• Armed groups have been attacking civilians in the eastern DRC for a long time.

• The security situation in eastern DRC “has deteriorated substantially” recently, she told the ambassadors.

Mr. Guterres has spoken out strongly against the attacks that happened on November 29 and 30 in the villages of Kishishe and Bambo in the volatile Rutshuru area in the country’s east.

At least 131 civilians, including 17 women and 12 children, were murdered, while eight more people were hurt.

Assistance with investigations

In a statement released on Friday, UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said that the Secretary-General “expresses his heartfelt sympathies to the relatives of the victims and wishes a fast recovery to the injured.”

He is glad that the Congolese government has decided to look into these cases and punish those who are found to be responsible.

In the meantime, the government will get help from the UN’s office for human rights in the DRC and its peacekeeping mission, MONUSCO.

Stop the war right now

The statement said, “The Secretary-General calls on the M23 and all other armed groups to stop fighting immediately and disarm without conditions.”

Also, Mr. Guterres asked everyone to make it easier for aid workers to reach communities in need, protect civilians, and follow international humanitarian law.

He also said that the UN would continue to help the Congolese government and people bring peace and stability to the country’s eastern region.

Armed groups have been attacking civilians in the eastern DRC for a long time. These attacks are the most recent ones.

On Friday in New York, Bintou Keita, the head of MONUSCO, briefed the UN Security Council.

The security situation in eastern DRC “has deteriorated substantially” recently, she told the ambassadors.