United Nations Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (Kinshasa)
Eoin Young
19 June 2008
At its weekly press conference of 19 June 2008, MONUC said that the military situation remained unchanged in the Democratic Republic of Congo, with a relative calm in the west, and several violations of the ceasefire, in particular of new forced recruitment of children by armed groups in the east.
In Orientale Province, the commander of the 9th military region of the DRC Armed Forces (FARDC) announced on11 June 2008 the suspension of operations against Mai-Mai elements in the area of Balobe, in Bafwasende territory. The decision was justified following the concerns of the population, and the need to enter into dialogue with the Mai-Mai elements.
In spite of this development, new clashes took place on 16 June 2008 between the FARDC and the same Mai-Mai group near the Loya river, 20km from Elonga.
In North Kivu, clashes continued between the FARDC and the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR). On 10 June 2008, a company of the FARDC 64th battalion carried out operations against an FDLR camp north of Nyamilima. The FDLR withdrew and gave up the camp, and no deaths were reported.
The following day, the FARDC 6th integrated brigade continued operations against an FDLR group commanded by Colonel Soki, between Kisharo and Buramba, 30km northeast of Kiwanja, in Rutshuru territory. The FARDC took control of this zone, forcing the FDLR to take refuge in Virunga National park.
According to the commander of the 6th integrated brigade, these operations consist in securing this part of the territory and aim to force young Congolese combatants who are aligned with Soki to leave this FDLR group.
The group is accused of several acts of harassment against the local population, including the murderous attack of 4 June 2008 on the internally displaced persons camp in Kinyandoni.
On 14 June 2008, an FARDC patrol was ambushed by the FDLR, 2km north of Nyamilima, on the Nyamilima-Ishasha axis. During an exchange of gunfire, an FDLR combatant was killed.
Two days later, FARDC positions in Nyamilima were fired upon by the FDLR. Previously, three camps belonging to the FDLR were burnt in Kihuli, 7km from Nyamilima.
On the night of 10 June 2008, an FARDC soldier of the153rd battalion killed two civilians and wounded five others in Vuangi village, 45km west of Butembo, in Lubero territory. The two civilians were killed because they tried to prevent the soldier from beating a woman, and the five others were wounded when the soldier started to fire indiscriminately.
In Rutshuru territory on 18 June 2008, troops of the National Congress for the Defence of the People (CNDP) opened fire on an FARDC station of the 62nd battalion in Mutabo, 7 km east of Rutshuru. An FARDC soldier was killed and five CNDP troops were wounded.
The FARDC station had been established one day before the incident. MONUC forces immediately reinforced their presence in the area.
The combat continued in Kamandi locality and its surroundings, located near lake Edward in Lubero territory. The clashes involved soldiers of the FARDC15th brigade and Congolese Resistance Patriots (Pareco) of General Lafontaine. At least two Pareco combatants were killed.
In relation to the forced recruitment of children by armed groups, on 3 June 2008, two boys aged 14 and 16 were killed by CNDP troops when they tried to escape recruitment in Rubaya village, 18km northwest of Minova.
MONUC is currently checking information on clashes between the CNDP and Pareco in the areas of Nyiakigano, Rukofu and Mululu which took place on 16 June 2008. During these clashes 12 civilians were killed, and six CNDP troops were captured by Pareco.
Meanwhile in South Kivu, three FARDC soldiers were killed on 13 June 2008 during an exchange of gunfire between soldiers of the 14th integrated brigade in Kabare. The shots started when some soldiers of the 4th battalion of the 14th brigade refused to deploy to another area.
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