7 July 2009
Goma — The UN Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), MONUC, has denounced a coalition formed by Congolese militia, the Mayi-Mayi, and Rwandan Hutu rebels of the Forces démocratiques pour la libération du Rwanda (FDLR), targeted by the national army in the eastern provinces of North Kivu and South Kivu.
Jean-Paul Dietrich, MONUC's military spokesman, told a news conference in Goma - capital of North Kivu - that several reports had revealed collaboration between the FDLR and some Mayi-Mayi militia groups.
He said the Alliance des patriots pour un Congo libre et démocratique (APCLS) and les Patriotes résistants Congolais (PARECO), which are active in Nyabiondo, south of Lubero in North Kivu, were some of the Mayi-Mayi groups collaborating with the FDLR.
"Many elements of the Mayi-Mayi groups and PARECO were seen fighting alongside the FDLR," said Dietrich, referring to operations launched by the national army on 24 June against the FDLR in several villages, including Chanika in Lubero territory.
Dietrich said 13 bodies of Mayi-Mayi militiamen killed during these operations were found.
Fighting between the army and Mayi-Mayi elements resulted in seven militia deaths in the village of Misau, 20km southwest of Pinga, Dietrich said. The FDLR and their allies also attacked the army, killing two soldiers and wounding several more, he added.
He said MONUC had identified 25 huts burned during an attack on the village of Kisheguru, 17km from Kiwanja, in Rutshuru territory.
"MONUC intervened to prevent fire from burning down the whole village," Dietrich said.
Attacks and counterattacks have also occurred in South Kivu Province.
According to Human Rights Watch, rights violations have increased in eastern Congo since the beginning of military operations against the FDLR and rebels of the Ugandan Lord's Resistance Army (LRA).
HRW said LRA and FDLR reprisals against civilians had increased.
"The FDLR and their allies have been involved in a lot of fairly serious crimes," Anneke van Woudenberg, HRW's senior researcher on the DRC, told IRIN. "Human Rights Watch has [evidence that] not only the FDLR but also their allies ... are responsible for war crimes."
[ This report does not necessarily reflect the views of the United Nations ]
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The truth will remain the truth even if you do not want to hear it or to talk about it. It is obvious that DRCongo has no "army", true or false? It is clear to every body's sight that Joseph Kabila is relying on foreign armies to support and help him master the DRCongo's population no matter what happen. Saying that DRCongo's army is fighting against Hutus rebels is a real mystery. When this army was formed? Where and how is it training? Are they equipped? Who are controlling them? This is a good time for Joseph Kabila and Kagame to play big games while deceiving their populations and the international community. If the DRCongo's government and its president were willing to stop all those atrocities they could have reached some better results so far. Think about Nkunda Bantware's business, how did it end? Where is Nkunda right now? We are still beging USA, UK, France, Germany...and the west to intervene and stop this genocide in DRCongo. We trust Eternal God and Jesus Christ for a better outcome. Amen!
If the UN, DRC and Rwandan governments don't want to halt the war, then let the Rwandan and congolese people continue suffering and being killed.
But the equation is quite simple; why do you avoid negotiations?? I think the UN should privelege the political solution rather than a military solution!
Over six million Congolese people died since 1996, either the UN and the government of Joseph Kabila don't even care. No willing was shown to track down the perpetrators...!! don't you think enough blood was shed!!
Since January, military operations were launched against FDLR, but 7 months later; the situation is getting worse and worse and rather than improving...! Which lession can the UN and the Security Council draw from this? ONLY A POLITICAL SOLUTION IS POSSIBLE.