Kampala — The United Nations has come out with an alarming report about the massing of Rwanda Defence Forces personnel in parts of North Kivu in the DR. Congo.

The Rwanda government denies that it has re-deployed men there, a situation which leaves us with a question of one man's word against another's.

But probably even more controversial are reports that the movement of peacekeepers serving under the United Nations monitoring mission (Monuc) in the Congo is being restricted.

The DR. Congo is currently delicately balanced with a coalition government that incorporates leaders of several former rebel groups appearing to hold.

The eastern part of that country however, still remains terrorised by opportunists and other thugs who continue to foment ethnic tension and inter-tribal killings.

Because the Kinshasa government has failed to stamp its authority in this part of the country, a large swathe of Congo territory is good breeding ground for anybody plotting trouble.

It is that respect that while giving Rwanda the benefit of the doubt, the United Nations has to reveal more detail about this development.

For example, it should say who is restricting the movement of the peacekeepers and why. Armed with such information, the international community would then be in a better position to take whatever necessary action.

More light also has to be shone on the suspected activities of elements planning to use the Congo as a rear base to destabilise the region.

As this matter is being clarified, it would be in Rwanda's interest to be forthright about what is going on.

The world is quite aware that this country has security concerns because of the presence of a large number of Hutu militiamen and ex-Rwanda army troops in North Kivu, so if it is carrying out pre-emptive manoeuvres there is nothing to be ashamed of.

Rwanda, however, cannot expect international understanding if it is seen to be surreptitiously interfering with Monuc's operations.

The UN meanwhile owes the world some position on what determination it is considering for those forces hostile to Kigali who are enjoying safe haven in eastern DR. Congo.