More clashes in eastern DR Congo despite calls for immediate ceasefire – UN

Heavy fighting has continued over the past few days in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), despite repeated calls for an immediate halt to hostilities and respect for a ceasefire signed last week, the United Nations mission in the vast African nation reported today.

The clashes that erupted a few weeks ago between the Congolese armed forces (FARDC) and the National Congress for the Defense of the People (CNDP) has been some of the worst in more than a year and a violation of the Actes d’engagement signed by the parties in January.

The UN mission, known as MONUC, reported that fighting continued today in the vicinity of Sake, a town 20 kilometres from Goma, the capital of North Kivu province, and the site of hostilities over the weekend.

In addition, UN blue helmets have come under direct threat of fire during the fighting, after members of FARDC set up position near a MONUC base in Kimoka, a small town two kilometres east of Sake.

Clashes have also been taken place in Kirotshe, a dozen kilometres to the east of Sake, MONUC reported.

Last week the Government approved global disengagement plans provided for in the Actes as prepared by MONUC.

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, in a statement issued by his spokesperson on Friday, has welcomed the Government’s acceptance of the plan and urged it to work closely with MONUC to ensure its timely implementation.

He also called on the CNDP and all other armed groups “to accept and urgently implement” the disengagement plan without further delay.