Continuous international efforts to protect civilians in the Democratic Republic

UN deputy spokesman, Farhan Haq, said that the peacekeeping mission has published a patrol in the region to enhance the protection of civilians, and continues to monitor the situation closely. He added that the mission is still completely committed to supporting peace and stability efforts in the region, as well as the protection of civilians in northern Kivu and Itori Province, where 60 percent of the force is currently spreading.

For his part, the Office of Humanitarian Coordination reported the killing of dozens of civilians in northern Kivu during the past two days, with clashes in the province of Walikali. In the province of Itori, the authorities reported that the clashes that took place yesterday in the town of Fataki led to the displacement of more than five thousand people, according to Mr. Haq. He said: “Reports have reported that calm has now returned, but a number of humanitarian partners have suspended their movements in the region.”

The United Nations Deputy Spokesman added that the organization’s humanitarian partners are struggling to provide assistance to more than a million people in the Afira and Fizy regions of the South Kivu province due to the ongoing clashes.

The Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs stressed the need to deliver medical supplies to Ovira, as the spread of monkeys and cholera is still continuing.

Nations gratitude for Qatari mediation

Mr. Haqi expressed the gratitude of the Secretary -General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres of the Emir of the State of Qatar for the mediation of his country between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda, stressing the need to adhere to the ceasefire agreed upon at the joint summit between the East Africa and the South African Development Group on February 8.

He added: “We fully support the agreement to continue the discussions as envisaged within the framework of the Luanda and Nairobi operations. The Secretary -General stresses the importance of implementing Security Council Resolution No. 2773“.

The UN Security Council had adopted a decision in which it strongly condemned the offensive operations carried out by the March 23 Movement (M. 23) and its progress in the north and south of Kivu in the Democratic Republic of the Congo with the support of the Rwandan Defense Forces.