Martin Kobler, Head of MONUSCO, is in Beni to express his support to the families of the victims of the massacres perpetrated by ADF

Beni, 17 October 2014 – Martin Kobler, Head of MONUSCO, paid homage to the victims of the Beni attacks, bowing in front of the mortal remains of the villagers killed during the night of 15 to 16 October in Ngadi and Kadu, near Beni, North-Kivu province.

During the ceremony, Martin Kobler met with the families of the victims of the ADF attacks. “I came to Beni to show my solidarity and to express my profound and sincere condolences to the family of the victims. I strongly condemn the slaughter perpetrated by ADF rebels. There will definitely be consequences for those heinous and unacceptable crimes,” declared the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Accompanied by the Governor of the North-Kivu province, Julien Paluku, and the Mission Deputy Force Commander, General Jean Baillaud, Martin Kobler strongly reaffirmed “the commitment of MONUSCO in supporting the FARDC in ending violence perpetrated by armed groups in Beni and in the rest of the DRC”.

Note to Editors

· According to medical sources in Beni, the number of victims of the 15 October 2014 massacres is now up to 30 deaths, following the passing of many severely wounded persons.

· On 15 October, around 20:00 hours, a group of unidentified assailants suspected to belong to the ADF rebel group attacked the Ngadi neighborhood in the District of Rwenzori in Beni.

· A dozen victims, killed by firearms and machetes according to medical reports, were recorded in this locality.

· Thereafter, the assailants were reported to have moved to the village of Kadu where, according to the civil society, there were also a dozen casualties.

· Last week, assailants also presumed to belong to the ADF rebel group killed a dozen civilians in the town of Oicha.

· The Special Forces, the Nepalese contingent of MONUSCO and elements of the Intervention Brigade are currently deployed and are conducting intensive patrolling in the area so as to improve the protection of civilians.