ReliefWeb

The United Nations Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUC) calls on all parties to maintain the ceasefire. The situation in Goma was relatively calm Thursday after the events that affected the population in North Kivu and a night of agitation with sparse gunshots in the city of Goma. MONUC received information about cases of looting, theft, rapes and even murder. It condemns all these acts which are very often attributed to men in uniform.

MONUC reiterates its determination to continue fulfilling its mission in keeping with its mandate, especially regarding the protection of the civilian population and vulnerable people.

Since Thursday morning, it has deployed patrollers in the city of Goma in order to reassure the population and prevent new cases of looting and violence against the civilian population. It is also securing strategic facilities such as the airport and the headquarters of provincial institutions.

MONUC is also determined to keep open the main roads of access so as to facilitate the work of humanitarians who are to bring assistance to thousands of displaced people as a result of the conflicts in the recent days.

MONUC is committed to doing its utmost, within the limits of its means, in order to facilitate the movements of the population and to support humanitarian agencies in their efforts to bring assistance to thousands of displaced people.