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Congo rebels 'to withdraw troops' Congo rebels 'to withdraw troops'
(31 minutes later)
Rebels loyal to Laurent Nkunda in the Democratic Republic of Congo say they are withdrawing from two fronts to create humanitarian corridors.Rebels loyal to Laurent Nkunda in the Democratic Republic of Congo say they are withdrawing from two fronts to create humanitarian corridors.
The news came after the army chief of staff was sacked following the recent rebel advances in the east.The news came after the army chief of staff was sacked following the recent rebel advances in the east.
Meanwhile, France has presented a draft resolution to the UN Security Council to strengthen the UN force in DR Congo.Meanwhile, France has presented a draft resolution to the UN Security Council to strengthen the UN force in DR Congo.
But a commander in the UN mission (Monuc) says he cannot defeat rebels because of his rules of engagement.But a commander in the UN mission (Monuc) says he cannot defeat rebels because of his rules of engagement.
General Bipin Rawat, who commands 6,000 troops, told the UK's Daily Telegraph newspaper that his forces were denied any element of surprise by having to go into the jungle with white trucks and white armoured vehicles. Monuc has a Chapter Seven mandate... to act very robustly US envoy Jendayi Frazer Impossible task for UNGeneral Bipin Rawat, who commands 6,000 troops, told the UK's Daily Telegraph newspaper that his forces were denied any element of surprise by having to go into the jungle with white trucks and white armoured vehicles. Monuc has a Chapter Seven mandate... to act very robustly US envoy Jendayi Frazer Impossible task for UN
UN troops also have to fire warning shots and shout verbal warnings before engaging the rebels, who are gathered near the town of Goma, he said.UN troops also have to fire warning shots and shout verbal warnings before engaging the rebels, who are gathered near the town of Goma, he said.
However, US Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Jendayi Frazer said the mandate was as tough as it could get.However, US Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Jendayi Frazer said the mandate was as tough as it could get.
"Monuc has a Chapter Seven mandate that gives them the authority to protect the civilian population, to protect the peacekeepers themselves and to act very robustly against those negative forces in the Congo," she told the BBC's Hard Talk programme."Monuc has a Chapter Seven mandate that gives them the authority to protect the civilian population, to protect the peacekeepers themselves and to act very robustly against those negative forces in the Congo," she told the BBC's Hard Talk programme.
See detailed map of the area See detailed map of the area
At present, there are about 17,000 soldiers and police in DR Congo - the biggest UN force of its kind.At present, there are about 17,000 soldiers and police in DR Congo - the biggest UN force of its kind.
The French resolution - to be voted on next week - would increase the number of UN troops in the country by 3,000.The French resolution - to be voted on next week - would increase the number of UN troops in the country by 3,000.
Clashes between the army and the rebel forces of renegade General Nkunda have driven at estimated 250,000 people from their homes and created a humanitarian crisis.Clashes between the army and the rebel forces of renegade General Nkunda have driven at estimated 250,000 people from their homes and created a humanitarian crisis.
Ceasefire monitorsCeasefire monitors
Col Jean Muhire, a spokesman for Gen Nkunda's CNDP rebels, told the BBC they were withdrawing to allow aid in and show their commitment to peace following a meeting on Sunday with UN envoy Olusegun Obasanjo. FORCES AROUND GOMA CNDP: Gen Nkunda's Tutsi rebels - 6,000 fightersFDLR: Rwandan Hutus - 6-7,000Mai Mai: pro-government militia - 3,500Monuc: UN peacekeepers - 6,000 in North Kivu, including about 1,000 in Goma (17,000 nationwide)DRC army - 90,000 (nationwide) Source: UN, military experts UK minister seeks Congo peace bidCol Jean Muhire, a spokesman for Gen Nkunda's CNDP rebels, told the BBC they were withdrawing to allow aid in and show their commitment to peace following a meeting on Sunday with UN envoy Olusegun Obasanjo. FORCES AROUND GOMA CNDP: Gen Nkunda's Tutsi rebels - 6,000 fightersFDLR: Rwandan Hutus - 6-7,000Mai Mai: pro-government militia - 3,500Monuc: UN peacekeepers - 6,000 in North Kivu, including about 1,000 in Goma (17,000 nationwide)DRC army - 90,000 (nationwide) Source: UN, military experts UK minister seeks Congo peace bid
The CNDP decided it "must make a unilateral withdrawal of its troops for a distance of 40km (25 miles) on the Kanyabayonga-Nyanzale front and the Kabasha-Kiwanja front," the AFP news agency quotes a rebel statement as saying.The CNDP decided it "must make a unilateral withdrawal of its troops for a distance of 40km (25 miles) on the Kanyabayonga-Nyanzale front and the Kabasha-Kiwanja front," the AFP news agency quotes a rebel statement as saying.
Col Muhire said UN peacekeepers should move into the areas to ensure no other force enters territory it leaves.Col Muhire said UN peacekeepers should move into the areas to ensure no other force enters territory it leaves.
The BBC's Mark Doyle in eastern DR Congo says that previous rebel offers to withdraw have been reversed, following shooting by government forces or other confusion.
No mention was made of the front line near Goma city, where the two sides are separated by a dormant lava field created by a nearby volcano.No mention was made of the front line near Goma city, where the two sides are separated by a dormant lava field created by a nearby volcano.
In the latest violence, the rebels took the town of Rwindi, about 125km (75 miles) north of Goma, near Kanyabayonga.In the latest violence, the rebels took the town of Rwindi, about 125km (75 miles) north of Goma, near Kanyabayonga.
In the talks with Mr Obasanjo, Gen Nkunda said he would support a peace process with the government and agreed to ceasefire monitors being deployed.In the talks with Mr Obasanjo, Gen Nkunda said he would support a peace process with the government and agreed to ceasefire monitors being deployed.
But at the time he said they should not include UN peacekeepers, whom he accused of bias.But at the time he said they should not include UN peacekeepers, whom he accused of bias.
LootingLooting
The government of President Joseph Kabila has to date rejected rebel calls for direct negotiation.An estimated 250,000 people have been made homeless by the fightingThe government of President Joseph Kabila has to date rejected rebel calls for direct negotiation.An estimated 250,000 people have been made homeless by the fighting
On Monday, it was announced that Mr Kabila had named navy chief General Didier Etumba Longomba as the new head of the armed forces.On Monday, it was announced that Mr Kabila had named navy chief General Didier Etumba Longomba as the new head of the armed forces.
Correspondents say General Longomba takes responsibility for a badly paid force with low morale and will need to instil discipline.Correspondents say General Longomba takes responsibility for a badly paid force with low morale and will need to instil discipline.
The BBC African Service's Kassim Kayira says the army shares the blame for atrocities against the population it is meant to be protecting.The BBC African Service's Kassim Kayira says the army shares the blame for atrocities against the population it is meant to be protecting.
As they have retreated from Gen Nkunda's fighters in recent days, army soldiers looted shops and homes and raped women.As they have retreated from Gen Nkunda's fighters in recent days, army soldiers looted shops and homes and raped women.
A military tribunal on Monday sentenced four soldiers to life in prison for rape, looting and deserting their posts, according to the AFP news agency.A military tribunal on Monday sentenced four soldiers to life in prison for rape, looting and deserting their posts, according to the AFP news agency.
Gen Nkunda says he is fighting to protect his Tutsi community from attacks by Rwandan FDLR Hutu rebels who fled to DR Congo after the 1994 genocide.Gen Nkunda says he is fighting to protect his Tutsi community from attacks by Rwandan FDLR Hutu rebels who fled to DR Congo after the 1994 genocide.
The Congolese army has been accused of working with the FDLR fighters to exploit eastern DR Congo's rich mineral resources.The Congolese army has been accused of working with the FDLR fighters to exploit eastern DR Congo's rich mineral resources.
The DR Congo government says Gen Nkunda is backed by neighbouring Rwanda - a charge denied by Rwanda's government.The DR Congo government says Gen Nkunda is backed by neighbouring Rwanda - a charge denied by Rwanda's government.
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