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'Elite troops' needed in DR Congo | 'Elite troops' needed in DR Congo |
(about 4 hours later) | |
The 3,000 extra UN troops being sent to the Democratic Republic of Congo need to be elite soldiers from Europe, the UN's ex-peacekeeping chief says. | The 3,000 extra UN troops being sent to the Democratic Republic of Congo need to be elite soldiers from Europe, the UN's ex-peacekeeping chief says. |
Jean-Marie Guehenno told the BBC there was an urgent need for an effective international force in the east. | Jean-Marie Guehenno told the BBC there was an urgent need for an effective international force in the east. |
He said an offer from Europe would send a powerful signal to the opposing forces whose conflict has displaced some 250,000 people in recent weeks. | He said an offer from Europe would send a powerful signal to the opposing forces whose conflict has displaced some 250,000 people in recent weeks. |
The UN already has its largest peace mission - 17,000 strong - in DR Congo. | The UN already has its largest peace mission - 17,000 strong - in DR Congo. |
But less than 1,000 of these are currently deployed around the regional capital, Goma, where clashes between the army and rebels led by Gen Laurent Nkunda have created a humanitarian crisis. | But less than 1,000 of these are currently deployed around the regional capital, Goma, where clashes between the army and rebels led by Gen Laurent Nkunda have created a humanitarian crisis. |
Fighting has eased this week since rebels pulled back on two fronts below Kanyabayonga, a town north of Goma. | Fighting has eased this week since rebels pulled back on two fronts below Kanyabayonga, a town north of Goma. |
See detailed map of the area But there are still reports of violence. | See detailed map of the area But there are still reports of violence. |
On Thursday afternoon, a Finnish food aid centre said it was raided by soldiers loyal to Gen Nkunda north of Kanyabayonga, Finnish broadcasting corporation YLE reports. | On Thursday afternoon, a Finnish food aid centre said it was raided by soldiers loyal to Gen Nkunda north of Kanyabayonga, Finnish broadcasting corporation YLE reports. |
FinnChurchAid's Jouni Hemberg said no-one was hurt but food and medical stores were taken. | FinnChurchAid's Jouni Hemberg said no-one was hurt but food and medical stores were taken. |
href="/1/shared/spl/hi/pop_ups/08/africa_working_to_heal_dr_congo0s_wounds/html/1.stm" onClick="window.open('http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/spl/hi/pop_ups/08/africa_working_to_heal_dr_congo0s_wounds/html/1.stm', '1227284884', 'toolbar=0,scrollbars=0,location=0,statusbar=0,menubar=0,resizable=1,width=600,height=530,left=312,top=100'); return false;">Working to heal DR Congo's wounds href="/1/shared/spl/hi/pop_ups/08/africa_working_to_heal_dr_congo0s_wounds/html/1.stm" onClick="window.open('http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/spl/hi/pop_ups/08/africa_working_to_heal_dr_congo0s_wounds/html/1.stm', '1227284884', 'toolbar=0,scrollbars=0,location=0,statusbar=0,menubar=0,resizable=1,width=600,height=530,left=312,top=100'); return false;" >In pictures While in a camp housing thousands of displaced people just north of Goma, a woman was shot and killed and a number of families forced from their huts, which were then looted by armed men, the UN refugee agency says. | |
Diplomats admit they do not know where the 2,785 extra troops and 300 police officers will come from, or when they will be sent. | Diplomats admit they do not know where the 2,785 extra troops and 300 police officers will come from, or when they will be sent. |
The UN Security Council voted on Thursday for the extra troops and also for the peacekeepers to implement their mandate "in full", through robust rules of engagement. | The UN Security Council voted on Thursday for the extra troops and also for the peacekeepers to implement their mandate "in full", through robust rules of engagement. |
The Congolese government has welcomed the extra troops for Monuc - the UN mission in DR Congo, but demanded a stronger mandate. | The Congolese government has welcomed the extra troops for Monuc - the UN mission in DR Congo, but demanded a stronger mandate. |
The troops currently have a Chapter Seven mandate - which diplomats describe as robust as it allows peacekeepers to protect the civilian population and themselves - but it also requires them to work with national army - currently in a state of disarray. | The troops currently have a Chapter Seven mandate - which diplomats describe as robust as it allows peacekeepers to protect the civilian population and themselves - but it also requires them to work with national army - currently in a state of disarray. |
"It needs a mandate that is a lot more appropriate to the circumstances on the ground," Communications Minister Lamert Mende Omalanga told the AFP news agency. | "It needs a mandate that is a lot more appropriate to the circumstances on the ground," Communications Minister Lamert Mende Omalanga told the AFP news agency. |
Mr Guehenno told the BBC's World Today programme it was of the utmost importance that the troops should be sufficiently resourced. | Mr Guehenno told the BBC's World Today programme it was of the utmost importance that the troops should be sufficiently resourced. |
And unless there was a commitment from Europe, troops were unlikely to be deployed quickly, the former head of UN peacekeeping operations said. | And unless there was a commitment from Europe, troops were unlikely to be deployed quickly, the former head of UN peacekeeping operations said. |
"It's going to be a test of whether the Europeans see Africa as a strategic issue for Europe, as important as Afghanistan - which for me it is - or whether they think it isn't," he said. | "It's going to be a test of whether the Europeans see Africa as a strategic issue for Europe, as important as Afghanistan - which for me it is - or whether they think it isn't," he said. |
On Thursday, the European parliament urged the EU to send special forces to DR Congo. | On Thursday, the European parliament urged the EU to send special forces to DR Congo. |
Most of the UN troops in DR Congo are from India and Pakistan. | Most of the UN troops in DR Congo are from India and Pakistan. |
They were accused of not doing enough to halt the rebel advance but have stopped them taking the city of Goma - the largest in the region. | They were accused of not doing enough to halt the rebel advance but have stopped them taking the city of Goma - the largest in the region. |
Joint operations | Joint operations |
BBC Africa analyst Martin Plaut says news of the extra troops and the improved relations between Rwanda and DR Congo have strengthened the hand of UN envoy Olusegun Obasanjo. | BBC Africa analyst Martin Plaut says news of the extra troops and the improved relations between Rwanda and DR Congo have strengthened the hand of UN envoy Olusegun Obasanjo. |
The UN has been unable to contain the violenceThe presidents of the two countries are reported to be in regular phone contact, he says. | The UN has been unable to contain the violenceThe presidents of the two countries are reported to be in regular phone contact, he says. |
Some diplomats say Rwanda is at the heart of the crisis and the Congolese government has accused its neighbour of backing Gen Nkunda's forces - charges denied in Kigali. | Some diplomats say Rwanda is at the heart of the crisis and the Congolese government has accused its neighbour of backing Gen Nkunda's forces - charges denied in Kigali. |
But there are now plans for a joint verification mission to investigate the role of the former Rwandan Hutu forces living in the forests of eastern DR Congo, who participated in the Rwandan genocide, and for joint operations against these rebels. | But there are now plans for a joint verification mission to investigate the role of the former Rwandan Hutu forces living in the forests of eastern DR Congo, who participated in the Rwandan genocide, and for joint operations against these rebels. |
Gen Nkunda has said he is fighting to protect his Congolese Tutsi community from attack by the Hutu rebels. | Gen Nkunda has said he is fighting to protect his Congolese Tutsi community from attack by the Hutu rebels. |
Mr Obasanjo is being supported by a nine-strong team including representatives of the African Union, United States and EU, as well as Rwanda and DR Congo. | Mr Obasanjo is being supported by a nine-strong team including representatives of the African Union, United States and EU, as well as Rwanda and DR Congo. |
The rebels withdrew from positions north of Goma on Wednesday - the move came after weekend talks with Mr Obasanjo. | The rebels withdrew from positions north of Goma on Wednesday - the move came after weekend talks with Mr Obasanjo. |
Meanwhile, Congolese President Joseph Kabila is in Angola for talks. | Meanwhile, Congolese President Joseph Kabila is in Angola for talks. |
Eyewitnesses say there are Angolan troops are on the ground in North Kivu, deployed to support Congolese army troops - allegations denied by Angolan officials. | Eyewitnesses say there are Angolan troops are on the ground in North Kivu, deployed to support Congolese army troops - allegations denied by Angolan officials. |
Return to top | Return to top |
Are you in DR Congo? Do you think this latest move by the UN will make a difference? Send us your views using the form below: | Are you in DR Congo? Do you think this latest move by the UN will make a difference? Send us your views using the form below: |
In most cases a selection of your comments will be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box below. | In most cases a selection of your comments will be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box below. |