Note to correspondents: Update on the activities of the UN Stabilisation Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO)

In response to media questions, the United Nations Stabilisation Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) reports that between 24 August and 5 September, it extracted some 300 individuals who had crossed into the DRC from South Sudan with the former Vice-President of South Sudan, Riek Machar. Mr Machar had crossed into the DRC from South Sudan, accompanied by several hundred people, including armed elements and civilians. The individuals were extracted by MONUSCO from the Garamba National Park, Haut Uélé province, in the north east of the DRC, on humanitarian grounds. Many were wounded, acutely malnourished or in another life-threatening condition.

This operation follows the 17 August extraction of Mr. Machar from a location inside the Garamba National Park, along with his wife, son and 10 aides.

In total MONUSCO has handed over 117 individuals, including Riek Machar, his wife and son, to the DRC authorities.

As of 8 September, there are 183 further individuals in MONUSCO-run facilities in two locations. Security arrangements are in place at these locations. These individuals are receiving medical treatment or are recovering in UN facilities, while the DRC and South Sudan authorities are working to agree on a longer-term solution.

The UN is engaging with both the DRC and South Sudan authorities as well as regional actors to encourage them to find a solution to the presence of South Sudanese armed elements in the territory of the DRC. While these efforts are ongoing, the DRC and South Sudan authorities are regularly informed of the actions being taken on the ground.