UN peacekeeping forces in the Democratic Republic of Congo (Monusco) have left the eastern town of Butembo following last month’s deadly protests over their perceived failure to end rebel violence, a government official has said.
“Monusco has already left. As for the equipment still in the city, we are going to meet in Goma with those in charge of the mission to see how to transfer it, as well as the few personnel remaining in Butembo,” said the governor of North Kivu province, Gen Constant Kongba Ndima.
He said the movement of the UN mission’s personnel and equipment would be supervised by Congolese security services.
A Monusco spokesperson, Ndeye Khady Lo, said that the “mission has proceeded to a temporary redeployment of its personnel outside Butembo… after consultations with local and national authorities”.
Demonstrations against the peacekeeping mission were held in North Kivu at the end of July. The protesters demanded that the troops leave the country.
The Congolese government said 36 people were killed and 170 others were injured in the demonstrations.
