UN state that the fight against rebels in DR Congo is a priority

By

Sylvain Muyali

The Special Representative of the Secretary General of the United Nations in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Martin Kobler stated that the fight against Ugandan ADF rebels active in eastern DRC had become “an absolute priority for MONUSCO.”

He made this statement after a meeting on November 9th in Goma with his two deputies, the commander of MONUSCO, leaders of the UN DRC mission and a delegation from New York. This meeting was to discuss the military action against the Ugandan rebels. “The most urgent problem is fighting against the ADF, because the people are suffering,” the head of MONUSCO stated.

For this joint military action between MONUSCO and the Congolese military (FARDC) to succeed however requires the support of the local population. Martin Kobler stated “We must restore the triangle of trust between the FARDC, MONUSCO and the public. We can not lead the fighting against the population. You have to have people with us. This is very important. I ask the people of Beni, to Eringeti, Oïcha and Kamango to support us. “

The ADF is accused of killing more than a hundred people in the last month in the territory of Beni, in the province of North Kivu.

Kobler said that for MONUSCO, it was an “absolute priority to now quickly calm the situation and fight the ADF, but also to get an idea of plans for fighting against the FDLR.”

Rwandan Hutu rebels of the FDLR, he recalled, are within the scope of an ultimatum from the ICGLR and SADC for their voluntary disarmament until January 2015. The option of military action after the deadline is being considered should this be necessary against them.

Sylvain Muyali

Sylvain Muyali is a Journalist, Photographer and Filmmaker from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. He has reported previously for the Associated Press and his words and images can also be found at ‘Vivons Positivement‘