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Call to boost UN DR Congo powers Call to boost UN DR Congo powers
(about 1 hour later)
French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner has called for the mandate of UN forces in the Democratic Republic of Congo to be strengthened.French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner has called for the mandate of UN forces in the Democratic Republic of Congo to be strengthened.
"We need different soldiers, and different rules of engagement," he said after briefing his EU counterparts. "We need different soldiers, and different rules of engagement," he said after briefing his EU counterparts about his weekend visit there.
Mr Kouchner and the UK's David Miliband flew to DR Congo at the weekend, to try to end unrest in the east. Rebels routed the army in the eastern North Kivu province last week, and are now threatening the regional capital.
Last week rebels routed the Congolese army near the city of Goma, and many people are in urgent need of aid. Tens of thousands of people have been forced from their homes in the area.
A fragile ceasefire is now in place, but hundreds of thousands have been driven from their homes. The rebel leader, renegade General Laurent Nkunda, has declared a ceasefire and said he will guarantee "humanitarian corridors" through rebel lines.
The rebel leader, renegade General Laurent Nkunda, has said he will guarantee "humanitarian corridors" through rebel lines. But his spokesman Bertrand Bisimwa told AFP news agency that the Congolese government was "waging war" by refusing to hold direct negotiations.
What should be done when people are being killed? We need more of an offensive capability Bernard Kouchner Congo crisis: Eyewitness accountsWhat should be done when people are being killed? We need more of an offensive capability Bernard Kouchner Congo crisis: Eyewitness accounts
The United Nations has a 17,000-strong force in DR Congo, called Monuc. Mr Nkunda's forces are positioned outside Goma, the regional capital.
The United Nations has a 17,000-strong force in the country, called Monuc.
It is its biggest mission in the world, but correspondents say it is struggling to contain the conflict.It is its biggest mission in the world, but correspondents say it is struggling to contain the conflict.
"What should be done when people are being killed?," Mr Kouchner said. "What should be done when people are being killed?," Mr Kouchner said. "We need more of an offensive capability."
"We need more of an offensive capability."
He said the peacekeepers' rules of engagement were "insufficient" and "very restrictive".He said the peacekeepers' rules of engagement were "insufficient" and "very restrictive".
DesperateDesperate
Mr Kouchner was speaking in the southern French city of Marseille, following talks with 26 other European Union foreign ministers on Monday.Mr Kouchner was speaking in the southern French city of Marseille, following talks with 26 other European Union foreign ministers on Monday.
He did not rule out sending more EU troops to DR Congo, but added: "That has still to be decided." He and his British counterpart David Miliband travelled to DR Congo at the weekend.
Meanwhile UN peacekeeping chief Alain Le Roy, visiting Goma, said troops there would "do the maximum to protect the civilians".
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The BBC's Peter Greste saw the convoy arriveThe BBC's Peter Greste saw the convoy arrive
Also on Monday, an aid convoy escorted by UN troops arrived in Rutshuru, a rebel-held town 75km (45 miles) north of Goma. They met both Rwandan President Paul Kagame in Kigali and Congolese President Joseph Kabila in Kinshasa.
It carried medical supplies and water purification tablets. On Monday, Mr Kouchner did not rule out sending more EU troops to DR Congo, but added: "That has still to be decided."
The UN said it hoped food convoys could follow. UN peacekeeping chief Alain Le Roy, visiting Goma, said troops there would "do the maximum to protect the civilians".
Enlarge Map Aid workers found that refugee camps that had held tens of thousands are now virtually empty. Enlarge Map
Meanwhile an aid convoy escorted by UN troops arrived in Rutshuru, a rebel-held town 75km (45 miles) north of Goma.
It carried medical supplies and water purification tablets. The UN said it hoped food convoys could follow.
Aid workers found that refugee camps that had held tens of thousands are now virtually empty.
It is believed many people left fearing further violence.It is believed many people left fearing further violence.
While as many as 50,000 displaced people reached Goma, many others have tried to return to their homes on foot through rebel-held territory.While as many as 50,000 displaced people reached Goma, many others have tried to return to their homes on foot through rebel-held territory.
Many have been reduced to foraging for wild roots and berries in the bush, without safe shelter, water and care.Many have been reduced to foraging for wild roots and berries in the bush, without safe shelter, water and care.
The recent rebel offensive - exacerbated by a wave of killing, looting and raping by retreating Congolese soldiers - has created what aid agencies have termed a "humanitarian catastrophe".The recent rebel offensive - exacerbated by a wave of killing, looting and raping by retreating Congolese soldiers - has created what aid agencies have termed a "humanitarian catastrophe".
Brown's pledgeBrown's pledge
The Congolese government accuses Rwanda of backing the rebels, but both countries' presidents have agreed to attend a regional summit on the situation.The Congolese government accuses Rwanda of backing the rebels, but both countries' presidents have agreed to attend a regional summit on the situation.
UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown has said the international community must "not allow Congo to become another Rwanda".UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown has said the international community must "not allow Congo to become another Rwanda".
In pictures: DR Congo crisisEyewitness accountsIs the world too slow to help Africa?Q&A: DR Congo conflictIn pictures: DR Congo crisisEyewitness accountsIs the world too slow to help Africa?Q&A: DR Congo conflict
In 1994, 800,000 people died in Rwanda's genocide, which is seen as the origin of the current conflict across the border.In 1994, 800,000 people died in Rwanda's genocide, which is seen as the origin of the current conflict across the border.
Gen Nkunda says he is fighting to protect his Tutsi community from attack by Rwandan Hutu rebels, some of whom are accused of taking part in the genocide.Gen Nkunda says he is fighting to protect his Tutsi community from attack by Rwandan Hutu rebels, some of whom are accused of taking part in the genocide.
There have been accusations of collusion between DR Congo's army and Hutu guerrillas.There have been accusations of collusion between DR Congo's army and Hutu guerrillas.
The Congolese government, for its part, has accused Rwanda of backing Gen Nkunda.The Congolese government, for its part, has accused Rwanda of backing Gen Nkunda.
Rwanda denies this, but it has twice invaded its much larger neighbour in recent years.Rwanda denies this, but it has twice invaded its much larger neighbour in recent years.
Are you in the Democratic Republic of Congo? Have you been affected by the conflict? Send us your story using the form below:Are you in the Democratic Republic of Congo? Have you been affected by the conflict? Send us your story using the form below:
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