06/10/2007

The majority of people are rebuilding their lives following years of war in the Democratic Republic of Congo, but North Kivu remains a bed of insecurity and abuse for Congolese civilians. Every day, women and girls walk from the village of Buhabo to Masisi Center to sell their produce. On Tuesdays and Sundays, the market days, their biggest fear is encountering soldiers from the national army who attack and rob them. According to residents, sexual assault and rape is also common. The UN Security Council has given a clear mandate to its peacekeeping mission there to protect civilians. While the presence alone of peacekeepers might give hope to the population and deter abuse, MONUC must be more proactive in protecting civilians.