Secretary-General, Deeply Concerned about Reported Targeting of Civilians in Congo, Condemns All Acts of Violence, Urging Dialogue, Restraint

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

The Secretary-General is deeply concerned about recent reports that security operations undertaken by the Government of the Republic of the Congo in the Pool region allegedly resulted in attacks against civilian targets and displacement of the population from the affected areas.  He is also troubled about restrictions on access to the region, which hamper adequate information gathering, evaluation and reporting on the situation.

The Secretary-General urges the Government of the Republic of the Congo to ensure that humanitarian and other relevant actors are granted access to the affected areas and population, and that security forces act in compliance with the country’s obligations under international human rights and humanitarian law.

The Secretary-General condemns all acts of violence.  He calls on all parties to show restraint and to engage in constructive and inclusive dialogue in the aftermath of the presidential election.  He is dispatching his Special Representative for Central Africa and Head of the United Nations Regional Office for Central Africa, Abdoulaye Bathily, to Brazzaville to consult with national authorities and other relevant stakeholders in order to defuse tensions.