DRC/RWANDA: Controversy over the UN report

By on October 8, 2010

Following the controversy over the publication of the report on crimes committed between 1993 and 2003 in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR), Ban Ki-moon said the document had not been “watered down” and called on the government and Congolese civil society to get involved in the protection of civilians.

No agreement was reached to save face for anyone or for the contribution of troops from a nation, said Ban Ki-moon at the UN headquarters. Attention was focused on the fact that Rwandan forces had perpetrated acts, in the DRC, that may constitute crimes of genocide, but that could only “be resolved by a competent court”. Thirty three teams of experts have travelled the country to interview more than 1280 witnesses and examining more than 1500 documents to corroborate the information. The report has states that at least 21 armed groups were involved in these crimes and the national armies of eight countries. “The perpetrators and their leaders must be arrested and charged with crimes against humanity, with national or international courts,” said Ban Ki-moon. “In this regard, I am encouraged by the arrest of Lieutenant-Colonel Mayal, the alleged leader of the armed group suspected of having committed mass rape in early August. This is a good example of cooperation and coordination between the Congolese authorities and the UN Mission for Stabilisation in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUSCO) to fight against impunity. It is time to think about how to change the culture of impunity in the DRC, the U.N Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon added.

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