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 16 December 2009
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In DRC, protection of civilians focus of military interventions

16/12/2009

More and more armed groups fighting in the Democratic Republic of the Congo have surrendered this year, according to the Secretary-General's Special Representative in the country.

Alan Doss addressing Security Council

Alan Doss addressing Security Council

Alan Doss told the UN Security Council on Wednesday that Kimia II, a Congolese military operation to disrupt and disperse the FDLR forces, and weaken their capacity to exploit the country's wealth, had succeeded but not without serious humanitarian consequences.

Mr. Doss said a new directive had just been approved by Congolese army, or the FARDC, and the UN Mission known by its French acronym, MONUC, to prevent the FDLR from returning to their former strongholds.

"Under this directive, the FARDC and MONUC will now concentrate on holding ground recovered from the FDLR and preventing attacks on civilians in areas of vulnerability, while undertaking focused interventions against any centres of command and control, where the FDLR may have regrouped. Protection of civilians has to be at the core of these operations."

The UN Mission in the DRC, MONUC, has been supporting the Congolese army's efforts against armed militia groups. The Security Council will vote on Friday on whether or not to extend the mission's mandate

Diane Bailey, United Nations Radio
(duration: 1'21")

Sound bites

Alan Doss, UN Special Representative for the Democratic Republic of the Congo Cut 1

"Under this directive, the FARDC and MONUC will now concentrate on holding ground recovered from the FDLR and preventing attacks on civilians in areas of vulnerability, while undertaking focused interventions against any centres of command and control, where the FDLR may have regrouped. Protection of civilians has to be at the core of these operations."
Duration: 00:00:25

Alan Doss, UN Special Representative for the Democratic Republic of the Congo Cut 2

"The latest report of the Group of Experts provides ample evidence of the critical role that expatriate leaders play in funding, organizing and directing the activities of the FDLR in eastern DRC. The report also underscores the importance of cracking down on illegal trading networks that have funded the FDLR and other armed groups in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The Governments of the region and beyond should work together and identify ways and means to control and regulate the trade in minerals and other natural resources to ensure that companies importing minerals from the DRC exercise due diligence."
Duration: 00:00:39

Alan Doss, UN Special Representative for the Democratic Republic of the Congo Cut 3

"At the same time, the Congolese Government must ensure the progressive de-militarization of the mining areas and prevent its own armed forces from exploiting these resources. The Group of Experts has pointed to collusion by some FARDC elements with the FDLR, which we deplore, but we should recognize that the FARDC has dislodged the FDLR from its former strongholds and has not wavered in its determination to deal with the FDLR. However, the government needs to move expeditiously to establish state authority in these areas while also prosecuting those who commit human rights violations."
Duration: 00:00:44