U.S. Urges Congo to Rescind Expulsion of U.N. Rights Envoy

The United States on Monday urged Kinshasa to reverse a decision to expel the U.N.'s rights envoy to the Democratic Republic of Congo after a damning report on police violence.

Washington was "deeply concerned" by the decision to expel Scott Campbell, the envoy of U.N. Human Rights chief Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein to the strife-torn country, the State Department said.

Campbell was declared persona non grata on Thursday, a day after the publication of the report into a police crackdown on youth gangs.

The report, published jointly by the U.N. mission in the country, MONUSCO, and Zeid's office, said at least nine people had been summarily executed and 32 went missing during the police operation between last November and February.

"We urge the DRC government to investigate the allegations of extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances by some members of its security forces highlighted in the ... report and to hold those responsible to account," State Department deputy spokeswoman Marie Harf said.

"We strongly urge the DRC government to reverse its decision."

The U.N. mission in the DR Congo was "specifically mandated by the U.N. Security Council to prepare regular reports on the status of human rights" in the country, Harf said, voicing strong support for the U.N.'s "vital role" in helping stability in the African nation.