UN / DRC

The head of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Bintou Keita, said that the fighting between the M23 and the Congolese armed forces has intensified in several areas and “the M23 has expanded further south, leading to further displacement of populations towards Goma and South Kivu.” UNIFEED

• Categories: News & Features / News Stories / Unifeed
• Video Length: 00:03:06
• Production Date: 20 February 2024
• Asset Language: English; French
• Personal Subject: BINTOU KEITA
• Corporate Name: UNITED NATIONS ORGANIZATION STABILIZATION MISSION IN THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO - MONUSCO
• Subject Topical: HUMAN RIGHTS; PEACE AND SECURITY; PEACEKEEPERS; PEACEKEEPING OPERATIONS
• Geographic Subject: DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO
• MAMS Id: 3175648
• Parent Id: 3175648
• Alternate Title: unifeed240220d

Description

STORY: UN / DRC
TRT: 03:07
SOURCE: UNIFEED
RESTRICTIONS: NONE
LANGUAGE: ENGLISH / FRENCH / NATS

DATELINE: 20 FEBRUARY 2024, NEW YORK CITY / FILE

Shotlist

FILE - NEW YORK CITY

1. Wide shot, exterior, United Nations

20 FEBRUARY 2024, NEW YORK CITY

2. Med shot, delegates, Security Council
3. SOUNDBITE (English) Bintou Keita, Special Representative of the Secretary-General, United Nations / Head, United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO):
“Since 28 January, fighting between the M23 and the FARDC has intensified in several areas and the M23 has expanded further south, leading to further displacement of populations towards Goma and South Kivu. On 12 February, the M23 offensives caused the Congolese armed forces, FARDC, to reposition themselves east of Sake Town.”
4. Wide shot, Security Council
5. SOUNDBITE (English) Bintou Keita, Special Representative of the Secretary-General, United Nations / Head, United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO):
“Conditions in the severely overcrowded displacement sites in and around Goma are desperate. More than 400,000 displaced persons have now sought refuge in the city, including 65,000 in the past two weeks, triggering a dramatic increase in cases of cholera due to a lack of safe drinking water, adequate hygiene, and sanitation.”
6. Med shot, delegates
7. SOUNDBITE (English) Bintou Keita, Special Representative of the Secretary-General, United Nations / Head, United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO):
“I am deeply concerned by the serious violations and abuses of international human rights and international humanitarian law committed in the areas under the control of M23, where the movement is targeting civil society actors, particularly human rights defenders, and journalists. The number of human rights abuses committed by the by M23 continues to rise, with at least 150 civilians killed since the resumption of hostilities in November 2023, including 77 in January 2024.”
8. Wide shot, Security Council
9. SOUNDBITE (English) Bintou Keita, Special Representative of the Secretary-General, United Nations / Head, United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO):
“MONUSCO continues to be confronted to waves of mis- and dis-information concerning its role in the ongoing clashes. Online campaigns targeting the Mission have been carried out by accounts mainly located outside of the DRC. This has resulted in hostile acts against UN peacekeepers and restrictions of movement by local armed groups and government soldiers.”
10. Med shot, Congolese Permanent Representative at dais
11. SOUNDBITE (French) Zénon Mukongo Ngay, Permanent Representative to the United Nations, the Democratic Republic of the Congo:
“Congolese issues, whatever their origin may be, will only be resolved by Congolese people and within the boundaries of national borders, without any external interference.”
13. Med shot, delegates

Storyline

The head of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO), Bintou Keita, said that the fighting between the M23 and the Congolese armed forces (FARDC) has intensified in several areas and “the M23 has expanded further south, leading to further displacement of populations towards Goma and South Kivu.”

Addressing the Security Council today (20 Feb), Keita also said, “On 12 February, the M23 offensives caused the Congolese armed forces, FARDC, to reposition themselves east of Sake Town.”

She added, “Conditions in the severely overcrowded displacement sites in and around Goma are desperate. More than 400,000 displaced persons have now sought refuge in the city, including 65,000 in the past two weeks, triggering a dramatic increase in cases of cholera due to a lack of safe drinking water, adequate hygiene, and sanitation.”

Keita, also said, “I am deeply concerned by the serious violations and abuses of international human rights and international humanitarian law committed in the areas under the control of M23, where the movement is targeting civil society actors, particularly human rights defenders, and journalists. The number of human rights abuses committed by the by M23 continues to rise, with at least 150 civilians killed since the resumption of hostilities in November 2023, including 77 in January 2024.”

She highlighted, “MONUSCO continues to be confronted to waves of mis- and dis-information concerning its role in the ongoing clashes. Online campaigns targeting the Mission have been carried out by accounts mainly located outside of the DRC. This has resulted in hostile acts against UN peacekeepers and restrictions of movement by local armed groups and government soldiers.”

Also addressing the Council today, Zénon Mukongo Ngay, Permanent Representative of the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the United Nations, said, “Congolese issues, whatever their origin may be, will only be resolved by Congolese people and within the boundaries of national borders, without any external interference.”