Vietnam’s representative to the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) has called on the UN Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUC) to strengthen its role in civilian protection in the African country.

Addressing the UNSC’s consulting session in New York on Nov. 19, the Deputy Representative to UNSC, Ambassador Hoang Chi Trung, noted the cooperation and coordination between MONUC and the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) in the military operation Kimia II to disarm the combatants of the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR).

However, the diplomat expressed his deep concern about the repercussions of the operations affecting the Congolese people, particularly the massive displacement of hundreds of thousands of people and reprisal attacks by the FDLR against civilians.

Strongly condemning such atrocities committed by the FDLR, Ambassador Trung called upon MONUC and FARDC to improve their coordination to minimise the undesirable impact on civilians during and after the operation Kimia II.

“MONUC should develop a comprehensive strategy to disarm the FDLR without unintentionally exacerbating the already grave humanitarian situation in Congo”, Trung stressed.

As regards the alleged killing of non-combatants by some elements of the FARDC, Ambassador Trung voiced his support for an appropriate investigation to hold the perpetrators of serious crimes among the group accountable.

He called upon the Congolese Government to promote the Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration (DDR) and the Security Sector Reform (SSR) processes to improve the effectiveness and discipline of the FARDC as well as its responsibility to protect civilians./.