The General secretary of the United Nations, António Guterres, welcomed the decision of the government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo to investigate the recent attacks allegedly committed by the armed group M23.
Guterres strongly condemned those attacks, which occurred on November 29 and 30 in the villages of Kishishe and Bambo, in the territory of Rutshuru, North Kivu province, in the east of the country.
The onslaughts left at least 131 civilians killedincluding 17 women and twelve children, and eight more were injured.
In a statement from his spokesperson, the Secretary General expressed his deepest condolences to the families of the victims and wished the injured a speedy recovery.
Investigation to prosecute those responsible
In addition, he applauded the decision of the Congolese authorities “to investigate these incidents with a view to bringing those responsible to justice,” he said.
Guterres stated that the UN Human Rights Office and the United Nations Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) will continue to support the government in these efforts.
It also urged the M23 and all other armed groups to immediately cease hostilities and disarm unconditionally.
Humanitarian Assistance Entry
Guterres also called on all parties to facilitate the access of humanitarian aid to affected communities and guarantee the protection of civilians and the respect for international humanitarian law.
The head of the UN underlined the firm commitment of the Organization to support the Congolese government and people in their efforts to achieve peace and stability in the east of the country.
security deterioration
The attacks of November 29 and 30 are the most recent in a wave of violence against the civilian population by armed groups in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The head of MONUSCO, Bintou Keita, gave a report on the situation in the country to the Security Council of the UN in New York.
In that forum, Keita told the ambassadors that the security situation in the east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo “has deteriorated dramatically” in the last weeks.
