SECRETARY-GENERAL EXPRESSES DEEP CONCERN OVER REPORTS OF MASSACRE OF 500 CIVILIANS IN DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO
Press Release
SG/SM/6859
AFR/126
SECRETARY-GENERAL EXPRESSES DEEP CONCERN OVER REPORTS OF MASSACRE OF 500 CIVILIANS IN DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO
19990106 The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for Secretary- General Kofi Annan:The Secretary-General has read with deep concern reports of an alleged massacre of some 500 civilians at Makobola in the east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. He has taken note of the decision by rebel leaders to investigate the allegations, recalls that a similar decision was announced regarding the August 1998 massacre at Kasika, also in South Kivu, and regrets that the conclusions of that investigation have not been made public yet.
Throughout the conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Secretary-General has called on all parties to respect human rights and international humanitarian law. He reiterates that call today, as well as his strong condemnation of killings and other atrocities such as those alleged to have been committed at Makobola.
The Secretary-General believes there can be no military solution to the conflict. He will continue actively to support current regional efforts to broker a ceasefire, the withdrawal of foreign troops from the territory of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and a broadening of the democratic space within the country.
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