kisangani

The authorities of a rebel group fighting in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) killed civilians and executed uniformed men last month, a United Nations human rights expert who just returned from the country confirmed today.

Meeting on the latest developments in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the United Nations Security Council today strongly condemned the killings that had taken place in Kisangani, and called for an immediate stop to all violations of human rights and international humanitarian law.

Leaders of the Rally for Congolese Democracy (RCD), which exercises de facto control in Kisangani, committed grave violations of human rights and international humanitarian law during an uprising in the city last week, according to a preliminary report issued today by the United Nations Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUC).

The top United Nations official in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) travelled to Kisangani today as the UN mission in the country continued its investigation to establish the number of victims of last week's attempted mutiny in the strategic city.

The head of the United Nations Organization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUC) today said he did not think last week's mutiny would delay the demilitarization of Kisangani but reminded a rebel group that it was obligated to maintain law and order in the town.

Reacting to the tense atmosphere in Kisangani - a strategic city in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) - the United Nations mission in the country today urged all parties there to restrain their forces.