At its weekly press conference of 3 September 2008, MONUC underlined that within the framework of the Amani Programme, it is essential that the Congolese armed groups in the Kivu provinces firmly remain “committed to the respect of the Acts which they signed. It is imperative that they implement it, and ensure that it is successful at all of it stages,” the UN mission insisted.

In order to support this process in progress, to contribute to the acceleration of its implementation and to try to ensure the participation of all the groups in the work of the Mixed Technical Commission and its sub commissions, Alan Doss, Special Representative of the UN Secretary General in the DRC, carried out a week long visit to the Kivus on August last.

“This was to ensure that we can, as soon as possible, enter the concrete phase of the much awaited disengagement of the armed groups on the ground,” said MONUC spokesperson Sylvie van den Wildenberg.

On the clashes which took place last week in Rutshuru territory in North Kivu between CNDP troops and the Congolese army, the spokesperson indicated that these incidents “once more caused immense fear within the population of a general resumption of hostilities.”

“The populations aspire legitimately for peace and security, and nearly a million people await the possibility of a return to their homes,” she added.

“The gunfire has receded, but the situation remains critical and the truce fragile. MONUC will continue to redouble efforts to make the Amani Programme successful and to implement the Acts of Engagement, with the disengagement plan as a priority,” she said.

MONUC moreover deplored “strongly” the hostile demonstrations which took place, on 2 September 2008 in Rutshuru, against the international facilitation delegation which was on mission on the ground.

“Some, visibly manipulated, wanted to prevent the international facilitation team from doing its work, which only aims at advancing the Amani Program and the implementation of the Acts of Engagement,” said the spokesperson.

“Such unacceptable acts are likely to discourage those who are there to help with the reestablishment of state authority in eastern DRC, for the benefit of the Congolese population,” Ms. van den Wildenberg concluded.