DR of Congo: UN mission refutes charges of bias by rebel group

Reacting to charges of bias and partiality levelled by a rebel faction operating in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the United Nations peacekeeping mission in that country today strongly reaffirmed its objectivity.

“These accusations do not reflect the reality,” the UN Organization Mission in the DRC (MONUC) said in a statement, responding to charges by the Congolese Rally for Democracy-National (RCD-N) that the Mission’s investigation into human rights atrocities committed in the Mambasa region had been biased.

The Mission stressed that the chargers are “quite contrary to MONUC’s impartial stand in accordance with its mandate and the UN principle of transparency.” The Mission also made clear that during the discharge of its mandate, “it will never set traps for anyone or operate under ulterior motive,” but will work under the mandate given by the Security Council.

Also refuting the allegations by the RCD-N, Amos Namanga Ngongi, the Secretary-General’s Special Representative in the DRC, called the charges “unfounded” during a press conference yesterday.

Last week, an investigative team dispatched by the Mission confirmed reports of serious human rights atrocities – including cannibalism and summary executions – perpetrated by armed groups operating in the northeastern part of the DRC.

Eyewitness accounts revealed “systematic looting and rape” as well as abductions used as weapons of war by soldiers of the Congolese Liberation Movement (MLC) and the Congolese Rally for Democracy/National (RCD-N) during their occupation of Mambasa territory.