Submit this form
Home News Videos Music Photos Facebook Twitter Friends Newsletter Podcasts Mobile RSS
Congo Defense Minister Rejects UN Allegations against Army

Congo News Agency - October 17, 2010
Charles Mwando Nsimba

During a press conference held in Kinshasa on Saturday, Defence Minister Charles Mwando Nsimba expressed outrage at the remarks made by the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict, Margot Wallström, before the UN Security Council on Thursday.

“There is already some information from MONUSCO [UN mission in Congo] peacekeepers on the ground that rapes, killings and lootings have been perpetrated by FARDC [Congolese army] soldiers,” Wallström told the Security Council, without giving any details or proof on the allegations.

Wallström was returning from a trip to eastern Congo, where at least 300 women and children were raped for days by Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) rebels and elements of a Mai Mai militia in August, a few kilometers from a United Nations peacekeepers' base.

The United Nations has been heavily criticized for its failure to prevent these rapes, especially in light of the fact that the UN mission had received information of the presence of the rebels in the area. The Congolese army is now conducting operations against the rebels accused of these rapes.

"I want to express here my deepest indignation and raise the strongest protests against these serious charges, which objective is to curb the momentum of our forces in their determination to eradicate the last irreducible FDLR and throw an unfair discredit on our forces. These remarks do not honor the UN,” Mwando Nsimba said.

He added that, if the UN has any proof of its allegations, it should provide it. "We have a framework for exchanging information with MONUC, or MONUSCO”. They can alert us at any time, he said, of any commander, or soldier, who is involved in human rights abuses. “It's called zero tolerance, zero.”

“We are not here to cover any abuses by the FARDC, to the contrary. We continue to seek help in putting out of service any soldiers who may be involved in such acts,” Mwando Nsimba said.

Audio excerpt from press conference (French):


On the web: Congo News Agency


Related articles


  1. 'Deadly environment' plus 'political and social' obstacles hinder Ebola fight, Security Council hears (July 24, 2019)
  2. At least 30 dead after massacres in Ituri (March 2, 2018)
  3. Peacekeepers, Congo Army to Resume Joint Fight Against Rwandan Rebels (January 28, 2016)
  4. Political tensions 'running high' in DR Congo ahead of 2016 elections (October 7, 2015)
  5. DRC Army Putting Pressure on FDLR (April 1, 2015)
  6. ICC Case Against Bemba Wrapping Up as Another Opens (November 12, 2014)
  7. Denis Mukwege Wins Sakharov Prize 2014 (October 21, 2014)
  8. Southern African Leaders to Meet in Zimbabwe (August 15, 2014)
  9. Senior UN officials urge Brazzaville to halt expulsion of DR Congo nationals (May 26, 2014)
  10. Kerry Calls on Kabila to Honor Constitution (May 4, 2014)
  11. Security Council extends UN mission, intervention force in DR Congo for one year (March 28, 2014)
  12. Death toll in Lake Albert boat accident rises to 251 (March 27, 2014)
  13. Death toll in Lake Albert boat accident rises to 108 people (March 24, 2014)
  14. New DR Congo amnesty law welcomed by UN envoys (February 5, 2014)
  15. Colonel Mamadou Ndala Is Killed in Ambush (January 2, 2014)
  16. DR Congo, M23 Rebels Sign Declarations Marking End of Kampala Peace Talks (December 12, 2013)
  17. No 'Peace Deal' With Defeated M23 Rebels, DR Congo Says (November 11, 2013)
  18. Congo Will Not Sign a 'Peace Deal' With Defeated M23 Rebels, Government Says (November 6, 2013)
  19. Congo Army Takes Control of Mbuzi Hill From M23 Rebels (November 4, 2013)
  20. Kabila Congratulates Congo Army for Defeating M23 Rebels (October 30, 2013)
  21. Advancing Congo Troops Take Control of Rumangabo From M23 Rebels (October 28, 2013)
  22. Congo Army Liberates Rutshuru, Kiwanja and Kibumba From M23 Rebels (October 27, 2013)
  23. Congo Army Dislodges M23 Rebels From Strategic Town of Kibumba (October 26, 2013)
  24. Ban Ki-moon Confirms M23 Rebels Shelled Rwanda (August 31, 2013)
  25. DR Congo Will Defend Itself Against an Attack by Rwanda, Government Says (August 31, 2013)
  26. M23 Rebels Fired Shells Into Rwanda, Not Congo Army, UN Says (August 30, 2013)
  27. Mortar Shells From Rwanda Kill Civilians in Eastern Congo (August 23, 2013)
  28. Dozens of M23 Rebels Killed by Congo Army in Renewed Fighting (August 22, 2013)
  29. UN Peacekeepers Start Enforcing Security Zone in Eastern Congo (August 1, 2013)
  30. UN mission sets up security zone in eastern DR Congo, gives rebels 48 hour ultimatum (July 30, 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.