The security situation remains precarious in the zones in North Kivu province controlled by the troops of the Congrès National pour la Défense du Peuple (CNDP), led by Laurent Nkunda, with abductions, forced displacement of populations, road block taxes and forced labour regularly reported on the roads in these zones.

On Wednesday morning 17 November 2008 last, people were beginning to resume their daily activities in Kiwanja. The schools opened, but the pupils were not to be seen.

In Kiwanja on the evening of the same day, the population underwent several exactions from CNDP troops. During CNDP search operations, looting, extortion and beatings were recorded in various districts in the town.

According to the inhabitants of Buturande district, commercial houses such as bars, kiosks and certain dwellings were plundered by uncontrolled soldiers of the CNDP at around 7pm local time.

Moreover, certain people who found themselves out late at night were harassed and beaten by CNDP troops.

In addition, an unidentified armed group opened fire on Monday 15 December last on the car of an Italian NGO AVSI (Association of Volunteers for International Service), which works in the area of child welfare.

The attack occurred approximately 60km north of Goma: a passenger died and the driver, who was seriously wounded, was transported to Rutshuru hospital, which is managed by Doctors Without Borders (MSF).

Furthermore on the same day, a World Food Programme (WFP) five vehicle convoy was stopped for several hours by an armed Maï-Maï PARECO (Congolese Patriotic Resistance) group, close to the locality of Rwindi. The convoy was later released after the intervention of UN Blue Helmets.

MONUC condemns with firmness these exactions which again affect the life of the populations in this zone under the control of the CNDP, just as it condemns the general insecurity in the area which blocks humanitarian operations.

MONUC renews its call to the CNDP, as well as other armed groups, to immediately cease any violation of human rights and international humanitarian law. MONUC reminds all armed groups that these violations can be regarded as war crimes or crimes against humanity, for which the authors can be brought in front of international justice.