11 Jul 2012

DR CONGO / GOMA REINFORCEMENT

UN peacekeepers in the Democratic Republic of Congo say there is information that the M23 rebel group is heading towards the city of Goma, but that the mission will “never let them get inside”. MONUSCO

Posted at: July 11, 2012 4:26 pm

Duration: 0:52

Available in: SD

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STORY: DR CONGO / GOMA REINFORCEMENT
TRT: 0:52
SOURCE: MONUSCO
RESTRICTIONS: NONE
LANGUAGE: ENGLISH / NATS

DATELINE: 11 JULY 2012, GOMA, DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO

SHOTLIST:

1. Various shots, deployment of UN troops at Goma airport
2. SOUNDBITE (English) UN peacekeeper from Guatemala:
"Our main mission is to stop the M23 which is moving towards Goma, we have information of that. This has been given for the brigade command. So we will stop them. This is our mission. We will never let them get inside Goma."
3. Wide shot, deployment of UN troops at Goma airport

STORYLINE:

United Nations peacekeepers today (11 July) deployed to Goma as the M23 rebel group was reported to be heading towards the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo's restive North Kivu region.

The UN peacekeeping mission in the country, MONUSCO today again expressed its concern about the deteriorating security and humanitarian situation in North Kivu and the impact of the fighting between the M23 mutineers and government forces on the civilian population.

By reinforcing its troop presence in Goma, the mission is stepping up its efforts to protect civilians, including through intensified patrols. It is also conducting aerial reconnaissance flights over areas where M23 is present in order to obtain tactical information and verify reports, according to the Spokesman of the UN Secretary-General.

Speaking at Goma airport, one peacekeeper today said their mission was to "stop" the M23, and vowed that UN peacekeepers would "never let them get inside Goma".

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today called President Paul Kagame of Rwanda and President Joseph Kabila of the Democratic Republic of the Congo to urge them into a dialogue that would defuse tensions and bring an end to the crisis. He expressed grave concern over reports that the M23 mutineers are receiving external support and are well-trained, armed and equipped.