Secretary-General condemns atrocities committed by Lord’s Resistance Army

in Democratic Republic of Congo, southern sudan

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon:

The Secretary-General condemns in the strongest possible terms the appalling atrocities reportedly committed by the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) in recent days in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and southern Sudan, as well as all other attacks committed by the LRA.  The Secretary-General demands that the LRA respect all rules of international humanitarian law.

The Secretary-General recalls the Security Council’s presidential statement (S/PRST/2008/48) by which the Council welcomed the joint measures taken by Uganda, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and southern Sudan to address the security threat posed by the LRA.  He underlines the Council’s call on the involved security forces to ensure that all actions are carried out in accordance with international humanitarian, human rights and refugee law.  He also underscores the Council’s call on Uganda, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and southern Sudan to take all appropriate measures to protect civilians.

He urges the forces of Uganda, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and southern Sudan on the ground to coordinate with the humanitarian community and the United Nations missions in the region to ensure the effective delivery of assistance to those affected by the LRA attacks.

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For information media • not an official record