US "deeply concerned" over attacks on civilians in the Congo

WASHINGTON, Nov 26 (KUNA) -- The United States is "deeply concerned" by the brutality and increasingly frequent attacks on the civilian population of Beni territory, North Kivu, Democratic Republic of the Congo, the State Department said on Tuesday.
In the last 45 days, the attacks have left almost 200 dead, including women and small children, the announcement said.
"We offer our deepest condolences to the families of the victims of this horrific violence," said department spokesman Jeff Rathke. "The illegal Ugandan armed group the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) and possibly others allegedly perpetrated these attacks, which include reported beheadings, mutilations and rape. These are terrible atrocities that should not go unpunished." "We call on the government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) to initiate a prompt, thorough investigation and hold all responsible to account," Rathke said. "We urge intensified efforts by the Armed Forces of the DRC -- with United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the DRC support -- to protect the civilian population and to eradicate all illegal armed groups in eastern Congo, including the ADF and the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda." The United States will continue to support the government and the people of the DRC, as well as the United Nations, in their combined efforts to consolidate peace, security and stability throughout the country, he said.(end) rm.gta