DR Congo: head of UN mission condemns deadly rebel attacks in eastern territory

The top United Nations official in the Democratic Republic of the Congo today condemned a recent upsurge in deadly attacks in the eastern territories linked to the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) rebel group.

“I strongly condemn the criminal attacks perpetrated during the night of 15 October in the Ngadi and Kadou localities near the town of Beni in the North-Kivu Province,” the Special Representative of the Secretary-General in the DRC, Martin Kobler, said in a statement.

At least 20 people were slain in “this extremely violent attack,” according to the UN peacekeeping mission, MONUSCO, which Mr. Kobler heads.

The attack comes a week after several civilians were killed in Oicha, another town in Nord-Kivu.

The senior UN official today reaffirmed full support of MONUSCO to the local and national authorities in their efforts to neutralize ADF and other armed groups in the eastern part of the country.

The ongoing Operation Sokola 1, which MONUSCO is supporting, aims to neutralize the ADF and its leaders, release remaining hostages and completely restore State authority in the affected areas.

“Despite the shared frustration, I invite all of us to combine our efforts in order to neutralize all armed groups,” Mr. Kobler said.

He has extended his condolences to the families of the victims.