Statement attribute to the Secretary-General on the outbreak of fighting in the DRC

DPA/OCHA Joint Statement
The Secretary-General is very concerned about the clashes since the last weekend in Kisangani, Democratic Republic of the Congo, between Congolese rebel factions, with reported involvement of troops from Rwanda and Uganda. He is particularly concerned lest these clashes further complicate the ongoing regional and international efforts to bring about a peaceful resolution to the conflicts in the Great Lakes.

The fighting has led to the death of civilians and trapped hundreds of women and children in health centers where children were being vaccinated as part of the ongoing immunization campaign against polio organised by UNICEF and WHO. This development violates a truce for the period of 8 to 20 August endorsed by all parties following a request made by the Secretary-General. It is unacceptable that this fighting is taking place during the national immunization days, which were supposed to provide the opportunity for some 10 million children to be immunized against polio.

The Secretary-General urges an immediate end to the fighting between troops from Uganda and Rwanda and the rebel factions. He invites the rebel leaders to take urgent steps to sign the cease-fire agreement for the DRC. He also hopes that immediate measures will be taken to allow for the return of the women and children trapped at the health centers to their homes and to ensure that humanitarian agencies have access to the wounded. "I trust that all parties will take immediate measures to halt this flagrant violation of universal humanitarian principles," said the Secretary-General.