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DR of Congo: Security Council Condemns Last Week's Seizure of Bukavu By
Dissident Forces

UN News Service (New York)
NEWS
June 7, 2004
Posted to the web June 8, 2004

Amb. Lauro Baja, Council President
The United Nations Security Council today called for an immediate halt to
military actions by dissident forces in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
(DRC) and condemned "with utmost firmness" last week's seizure by the groups of
the eastern town of Bukavu, and the accompanying atrocities and human rights
violations.
The Council's response to the actions by the forces led by former Congolese
Rally for Democracy (RCD-Goma) commanders Major-General Laurent Nkunda, Colonel
Jules Mutebusi, and others, came in a statement read out in an open meeting
this evening by the president of the 15-member body for the month of June,
Ambassador Lauro Baja of the Philippines.
"[The Security Council] declares its profound concern regarding reports of
military actions these forces have undertaken in other parts of the Democratic
Republic of the Congo," the statement said. "It considers all such actions to
constitute a serious threat to the peace process and to the transition, and
demands that these cease immediately."
Re-affirming its commitment to and respect for the national sovereignty,
political independence, territorial integrity and unity of the DRC, the Council
called for the prompt and peaceful extension of State authority throughout DRC
territory, especially in Bukavu.
It urged all parties in the Government of National Unity and Transition to
remain fully committed to the peace process and to abstain from any action that
could endanger governmental unity.
The Council also condemned the recent killing of three members of the UN
Organization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUC). It called
on the Congolese to support MONUC's work and refrain from any hostile action
against UN personnel or facilities.

   

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