Catholic Information Service for Africa (Nairobi)
21 November 2008
Brussels — A network of 30,000 Catholic missionaries working in Europe and Africa want the European Union to deploy a military force to the Congo to keep open a humanitarian corridor because the UN force (MONUC) has failed to do so.
In a statement released Wednesday, the Africa Europe Faith & Justice Network (AEFJN) also called on the EU to increase diplomatic efforts to ensure the implementation of the Goma and Nairobi Peace agreements that were signed by all parties involved in the current conflict. The EU should also set up a special fund for reconstruction and development of the country.
"To maintain peace in the region and avoid the risk of fresh conflict, AEFJN believes EU troops should be sent immediately with a clearly defined mandate and in consultation with MONUC. This stabilisation force should address not only the consequences but also the causes of the fighting," the network of over 30,000 missionaries said.
The missionaries said the EU force would immediately reassure the Congolese people who have lost confidence in MONUC and restrain those who are provoking the unrest including working closely with the FARDC and MONUC to disarm the CNDP and the FDLR.
"With precise terms of reference and a mandate clearly defined as to timescale and operational area, a European mission could stabilise the humanitarian situation and save the peace process. At present no alternative exists".
The UN Security Council has authorized the deployment of 3,000 extra troops to reinforce the 17,000 stationed across the country. MONUC is the largest peacekeeping force in the world.
France, the current holder of the EU presidency, proposed sending an EU military force to work with MONUC and the Congolese army to stabilise the humanitarian situation and promote the peace process. A few EU countries support this, but many do not.
The advance of the rebel troops of General Laurent Nkunda towards Goma forced the Congolese army (FARDC) to abandon the city. Several weeks of fighting in the region have caused the displacement of more than 250,000 persons.
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Well it would be good if they arrested the thug Nkunda. That would be good for everyone but the EU is only intersted in arresting the Cobolt and copper and diamonds not him so they should be send to Afghanistan to fight with Taliban who are basically going to show them what real infantry is. May God bless and live with Kabila, this will pass and he will be victorious.
Yes the same missionary movement that supported and profited from slave trade and other vices that,ve been meted out to Africans over the ages, stay where you are with your army,don,t come to Africa.You,ve not been called upon by us as such don,t interfere only for what you intend to gain out of the problem,missionaries my foot,who are they to call for an invasion of an African country,they must be out of their sences. This mental slavery we continue to find ourselves is the main reason criminals can come to Africa with distorted propaganda and we… [Read Full Text]