SECRETARY-GENERAL DEEPLY CONCERNED BY LATEST ROUND OF HOSTILITIES IN EASTERN DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO

NEW YORK, July 19, 2013/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- The following statement was issued today by the Spokesperson for Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon:

The Secretary-General is deeply concerned about the latest round of hostilities initiated by the M23 (23 March Movement) movement north of Goma, North Kivu, in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. The Secretary-General urges all parties to exercise utmost restraint and prevent an escalation of the conflict and a deeper humanitarian crisis.

The United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) has not been involved in the hostilities. The Mission remains on high alert and is prepared to intervene, including through the Force Intervention Brigade, should the fighting threaten civilians, particularly in Goma and in IDP (internally displaced persons) camps in the area.

The Secretary-General underlines the importance of pursuing a political solution to address the root causes of conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. He calls on all signatory countries to respect their commitments under the Peace, Security and Cooperation Framework for the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the region.