Kinshasa 29 April 2009 - At its weekly press conference of Wednesday 29 April 2009, MONUC said that joint operations against armed groups were underway in eastern DRC: in North Kivu province and the district of Ituri. At the same time, troops of the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) continue to surrender almost every day.
In North Kivu last week, operations against the FDLR proceeded simultaneously in several areas of the province, such as east and west of Nyamilima, in Virunga National Park, west of Kiwanja, north of Tongo, and around Lusamambo and Bikenge.
During these operations, there no was large scale confrontation with FDLR troops. Nevertheless, in a general way, the FARDC succeeded in dominating the population centres and roads in these areas, thereby pushing the FDLR troops back into the bush.
Ituri
Two weeks after the launching of the operation "Pierre d' Acier" by the Armed forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) with the support of MONUC forces, the governmental forces continue to reinforce their positions. The consolidation of zones continues as the patrols are extended to the south of Irumu territory.
During this time, residual rebels launched attacks against the population from their hiding-places. Under the pressure of joint operations in progress in the south of Irumu territory, the rebels gave up their bastions of Poto Poto and Kanana. They have been divided into small groups and are mixed with the local populations.
Currently, they have a serious food shortage and a general lack of resources, and these small rebel groups have resorted to looting local villages.
As a response and to reassure the local population, the number and frequency of joint patrols in the most exposed villages have been increased. In addition, MONUC forces in Ituri will train their FARDC counterparts in to how to defend and improve the security system of their camps.
South Kivu
The security situation continues to be characterised by repeated human rights violations by armed groups.
Meanwhile, troops of the Zabuloni and Shikito Mai-Mai rebel groups continue to arrive at the regroupment centre in Luberizi, although the number of 25 weapons returned for 347 combatants is a cause for concern. Meanwhile, Kalehe regroupment centre has received combatants since 27 April last, and some 250 war veterans were transported by MONUC to Kalehe.
Furthermore, a working session of the Joint Operations Centre took place on 27 April last between the staff of MONUC Forces in South Kivu, with the participation of the FARDC officer in charge of operations for Kimia 2, accompanied by his sector commanders.
DDRRR
Ten heavily armed combatants of the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) and 31 of their dependants (12 women and 19 children) surrendered to a joint MONUC /FARDC patrol on the night of 23/24 April last in the locality of Mikumbi, southwest of Masisi, some 90 kilometres from Goma.
They were entrusted to MONUC's Demobilization, Désarmement, Rapatriement, Réintégration and Reintegration (DDRRR) team, and were transferred to Goma last weekend for their repatriation in safety and dignity to Rwanda, for their integration within the National plan of Demobilization and Reintegration into civilian life.
Following MONUC/FARDC joint patrols on 26/27 April last, five FDLR troops and their families went to Kibirizi in the area of Habula, located 5 kilometres west of Kashebere.
Between on 1 January and 25 April 2009, MONUC's DDRRR section repatriated 1,668 people (596 combatants and 1082 dependants).