Troops with the Force Intervention Brigade of MONUSCO during a training session in Sake. [UN Photo/Sylvain Liechti][/caption]The situation in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo on Thursday was described as calm following the end of a 48 hour ultimatum for rebels to disarm.

The ultimatum was established by the UN mission in the country (MONUSCO) to enforce a security zone around the city of Goma, scene of repeated attacks by the rebel M23 movement.

It gave individuals who were not members of the national forces until 4 pm on 1 August to hand in their weapons to a MONUSCO base.

After this period, they would be considered “an imminent threat” to civilians, and the mission would take all necessary measures to disarm them, including the use of force.

To find out how the process went, UN Radio’s Assumpta Massoi spoke to Carlos Araujo, MONUSCO spokesperson.