Maman S. Sidikou, Head of MONUSCO, strongly condemns the ADF attacks against civilians, FARDC and MONUSCO bases in Makembi and Eringeti

Kinshasa, 30 November 2015 – The Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary General for the Democratic republic of the Congo (DRC) and Head of MONUSCO, Mr. Maman S. Sidikou has stated that the United Nations “strongly condemns the cowardly, systematic and criminal attacks perpetrated by the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) against the civilian population, the Congolese forces and the MONUSCO peace keepers in Eringeti and surroundings in Beni territory and I want to express my sympathies and condolences to the families of those who lost their lives and wish speedy recovery to those injured. MONUSCO will spare no effort to support the Government of the DRC in continuing to protect civilians across the country.”

On 29 November, 2015 at about 1500 hours, the ADF elements launched simultaneous attacks against an Forces Armees de la RDC (FARDC) position in Makembi (6 km SW of Eringeti), a MONUSCO base in Eringeti, the local hospital in Eringeti and a Police Nationale Congolaise (PNC) office in Beni territory. They looted and torched houses and shops. One (01) peacekeeper, four (04) FARDC soldiers, seven civilians (07) and twelve (12) rebels were killed while One (01) peacekeeper, four (04) FARDC soldiers were injured.

On his part, the Representative of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights in the DRC, Jose Maria Aranaz has stated that “These cowardly attacks by the ADF which are a deliberate and systematic targeting of civilians including the killings committed in the hospital constitute a war crime for which the ADF will be held accountable. All actions must be put in place to guarantee the protection of civilians and to combat the ADF in Beni.