Submit this form
Home News Videos Music Photos Facebook Twitter Friends Newsletter Podcasts Mobile RSS
Official Says MONUC Continues Help with Integrating Ex-Combatants Into Army

VOA News - February 11, 2010
Militaires congolais

An official of the United Nations Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUC) says the group has been successful in helping with the integration of tens of thousands of former combatants into Congo’s national army.

Kevin Kennedy, MONUC's Public Information director said contrary to initial reports, the group has not issued an ultimatum to Congo’s remaining armed groups either to integrate into the national army FARDC or become civilians.

“First of all, we did not issue any sort of ultimatum. In fact, the ultimatum that has been issued had been issued by the Congolese authorities. There had been various exercises in the course of last 10 years in which various armed groups have been either disarmed demobilized or have entered into the Congolese national army,” he said.

There was speculation that MONUC gave a 45-day ultimatum to the remaining armed groups either to integrate into the national army or become civilians.

But Kennedy said the government signed peace agreements with various armed groups that would ensure their integration into the national army.

“There have been a number of agreements that have brought this about. The most recent one was in March of last year, and there have been a number of armed groups that have been integrated into the Congolese army during that period…The government… basically set a deadline now for those that remain. MONUC is in the business of helping the authorities of the DRC to disarm and demobilize or to integrate former members of armed groups within the terms and conditions that the government set down for those exercises,” Kennedy said.

President Joseph Kabila’s government recently issued an ultimatum to various armed groups either to integrate into the national army FARDC or face a possible military action.

MONUC has so far helped with the administration’s efforts to integrate former combatants into the Congolese national army.

Kennedy said MONUC will continue supporting efforts to reintegrate former combatants into either the national army or into society.

“The assistance with disarmament, demobilization, and the reintegration of former combatants into society or their integration into the army has been something that MONUC has done for a number of years. MONUC supports the Congolese efforts along those lines, as do different parts of the UN system and the international community,” Kennedy said.


Related articles


  1. Felix Tshisekedi Sworn In as DR Congo President (January 24, 2019)
  2. Constitutional Court Declares Tshisekedi Winner of Presidential Election (January 19, 2019)
  3. Felix Tshisekedi Vows to Be the President of All Congolese (January 10, 2019)
  4. Felix Tshisekedi Elected DR Congo President (January 10, 2019)
  5. DR Congo Delays Results of December Election (January 6, 2019)
  6. At least 30 dead after massacres in Ituri (March 2, 2018)
  7. Botswana Urges Joseph Kabila to Step Down (February 26, 2018)
  8. No elections in DR Congo in December without electronic voting machines: INEC (February 13, 2018)
  9. US Warns DR Congo Against Electronic Voting for Delayed Election (February 12, 2018)
  10. Felix Tshisekedi accuses INEC of illegally prolonging Kabila's mandate (October 24, 2017)
  11. DRC Seeks Arrest of Presidential Candidate Moise Katumbi (May 19, 2016)
  12. Papa Wemba Is Buried in Kinshasa (May 4, 2016)
  13. Papa Wemba Awarded Highest National Honor as Thousands Pay Tribute (May 2, 2016)
  14. Political tensions 'running high' in DR Congo ahead of 2016 elections (October 7, 2015)
  15. Rights Groups: DR Congo Must Free Pro-democracy Activists (April 13, 2015)
  16. DRC Army Putting Pressure on FDLR (April 1, 2015)
  17. Police Open Fire on Crowd Protesting Election Law Change (January 19, 2015)
  18. Etienne Tshisekedi Evacuated to Belgium for Medical Treatment (August 16, 2014)
  19. Kerry Calls on Kabila to Honor Constitution (May 4, 2014)
  20. Kerry in DR Congo for Security Talks (May 3, 2014)
  21. DR Congo Takes Chairmanship of COMESA at Summit in Kinshasa (February 26, 2014)
  22. New DR Congo amnesty law welcomed by UN envoys (February 5, 2014)
  23. Colonel Mamadou Ndala Is Killed in Ambush (January 2, 2014)
  24. DR Congo Honors Nelson Mandela, Hero and Model for Humanity (December 6, 2013)
  25. No 'Peace Deal' With Defeated M23 Rebels, DR Congo Says (November 11, 2013)
  26. Congo Will Not Sign a 'Peace Deal' With Defeated M23 Rebels, Government Says (November 6, 2013)
  27. Congo Army Takes Control of Mbuzi Hill From M23 Rebels (November 4, 2013)
  28. Kabila Congratulates Congo Army for Defeating M23 Rebels (October 30, 2013)
  29. Advancing Congo Troops Take Control of Rumangabo From M23 Rebels (October 28, 2013)
  30. Congo Army Liberates Rutshuru, Kiwanja and Kibumba From M23 Rebels (October 27, 2013)


Live TV Congo Radio en ligne Radio
Available on App Store
Get it on Google Play



Contact Us | About Us | Édition en Français | French Edition

© CongoPlanet.com. All rights reserved.