Madame Bintou Keita condemned and reminded the conflicting parties of their obligations, under international humanitarian law, to protect and preserve the lives of civilian populations under all circumstances. In this statement, the representative of the UN Secretary-General in the DRC encouraged the Congolese authorities "to take necessary measures to bring to justice the perpetrators of these heinous acts" which she describes as a flagrant violation of human rights and international humanitarian law, and even as war crimes.

Bintou Keita regretted that these bomb attacks had cost the lives of several civilians including 6 children, along with many injured. She also presented her condolences to the families of the victims and wished a speedy recovery to the wounded. The head of MONUSCO also did not fail to denounce this escalation of blind violence against civilians in North Kivu.

Following these bombings, which have cost the lives of at least 14 civilians according to updated reports, the coalition of M23/RDF/AFC rebels and the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) are still blaming each other for these crimes perpetrated last Friday, May 3, against the war-displaced civilians.

Dido Nsapu