Ituri residents warned not to obstruct NGOs

The rebel Rassemblement congolais pour la democratie-Mouvement de
liberation (RCD-ML), which controls Bunia, on Tuesday issued an appeal not to obstruct the work of international NGOs in the region. The statement, signed by Jacques Depelchin who is in charge of territorial administration, was read out over Bunia radio. "The recent clashes in our Ituri province have led some people to obstruct the activities of international NGOs," the statement said, stressing that this was "contrary to humanitarian and democratic principles". "We warn anyone who seeks to influence the departure of the organisations that they will be prosecuted for causing people in danger to be deprived of assistance." The statement concluded by apologising to the NGOs "which are victims of unacceptable treatment".

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