MONUSCO provides protection to citizens fleeing violence in DRC

Spokesman for the UN Secretary-General, Eduardo del Buey says UN peacekeepers in the Democratic Republic of the Congo are providing protection to some 1,500 civilians following renewed clashes between the Congolese Army, the FARDC and the APCLS, the Citizens' Alliance for a Free and Sovereign Congo, the APCLS.

MONUSCO, the UN mission in the country, says fighting between the two groups on Friday killed some 11 APCLS combatants and injured one FARDC soldier.

According del Buey “MONUSCO peacekeepers in Kachanga have provided protection   about 1500 civilians. The situation is reported to be calm at present but the UN mission continues to monitor the situation and patrol the area.”

Since fighting first began in February, tens of civilians have been killed, including a humanitarian worker, hundreds have been wounded and thousands have been displaced.

Thousands who have fled the violence have sought refuge around the UN peacekeeping base in Kitchanga.

UNRadio