Mr. Guterres strongly condemned the attacks that took place on November 29 and 30 in the villages of Kishishe and Bambo, in Rutshuru, North Kivu province, in the volatile eastern part of the country.
At least 131 civilians were killed, including 17 women and 12 children, and eight others were injured.
Investigation support
“The Secretary-General expresses his deepest condolences to the families of the victims and wishes a speedy recovery to those injured,” UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said in a statement. statement on Friday.
“He welcomes the decision of the Congolese authorities to investigate these cases in order to bring those responsible to justice.”
Meanwhile, the United Nations human rights office at the DRC and its peacekeeping operations there, MONUSCOwill continue to support the Government in these efforts.
End the war now
“The Secretary-General calls on the M23 and all other armed groups to immediately cease hostilities and unconditionally disarm,” the statement continued.
Guterres also called on all parties to facilitate humanitarian access to affected communities and ensure the protection of civilians and respect for international humanitarian law.
He also stressed the commitment of the United Nations in supporting the Government and people of the Congo in their efforts to bring peace and stability in the east of the country.
The attacks are the latest in a series of incidents of violence against civilians in the eastern DRC by armed groups.
MONUSCO Director Bintou Keita informed the United Nations Security Council in New York on Friday.
She told the ambassadors that the security situation in the eastern DRC “has deteriorated significantly” in recent weeks.
