Red Cross Transfers Families Of Police, Army From Goma to Kinshasa

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) announced on Wednesday it has begun repatriating families of defeated soldiers and police from Goma to Kinshasa.

According to Redcross, the people, who have so far remained at the United Nations Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) base in Goma, will be taken care of by the Congolese authorities upon their arrival in Kinshasa.

It said, the operation, which will last several days, is being carried out at the joint request of the Congolese Ministry of Defense, MONUSCO, and the Congo River Alliance/M23 armed group, the ICRC said.

“This role as a neutral intermediary can help resolve complex humanitarian problems by reducing the consequences for populations,” said François Moreillon, head of the ICRC delegation in the DRC, in a statement.

The humanitarian organization clarified that it is not involved in negotiating the terms of the agreement but is acting as a neutral facilitator.

The ICRC ensured that all individuals gave their consent before departure and calls on all parties to respect international humanitarian law throughout the operation.