Attacks on civilians in Murangara, North Kivu, drew strong condemnation from MONUSCO chief Bintou Keita. In a statement posted on the Twitter account of the United Nations mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), she called on armed groups to immediately end hostilities.
On Sunday August 6, M23 rebels attacked positions of local armed groups, killing 11 people and injuring 4 others. Located between the positions of the M23, the village of Marangara became the scene of this deadly conflict.
The victims were buried the very evening of the attack, and the injured are currently being cared for in Rutshuru and Bambo hospitals. The absence of regional forces in Marangara is deplored, thus paving the way for rebel movements.
The situation remains worrying, and the head of MONUSCO calls on the armed groups to lay down their arms unconditionally and to join the Disarmament, Demobilization, Community Recovery and Stabilization Program (PDDRC-S).
It is essential that local and international authorities step up their efforts to guarantee the safety of civilian populations and put an end to this escalation of violence. The international community must also support ongoing stabilization and reconciliation efforts in the region.
It is time to end the impunity of armed groups and create an environment conducive to peace and development in the DRC