The Nation (Nairobi)

Congo-Kinshasa: Kabila on the Spot Over Mass Misery

Eastern Congo is proving once more to be a major problem to president Joseph Kabila as humanitarian organisations based in the region report 1,000 civilians killed, 7,000 raped and 6,000 homes burned down in a military offensive.

The operation is aimed at driving former Rwandan rebels out of the region.

Code-named Kimia II, the operation's target is to neutralise Hutu rebels known as the FDLR (Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda) who operate in the region.

The early phase of the operation was code-named Umoja Wetu and was preceded by a deal between President Kabila and his Rwanda counterpart Paul Kagame.

The main victim was General Laurent Nkunda of the Tutsi CNDP (National Congress for the Defence of the People) now in Rwandese custody. Being sought

Nkunda's groups is now led by Jean Bosco Ntaganda, a man who is being sought by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for war crimes. Despite reports of killings in eastern Congo, according to President Kabila, the region is now enjoying unprecedented peace.

But according to aid groups, close to a million people have been displaced in this region as the army and its allies pursue the former Rwanda rebels.

Says Mr Guillaume Lacaille, senior analyst at the International Crisis Group: "National authorities have not given enough attention to most forces engaged in the eastern Congo operation that have a track record of human rights violations."

In particular aid agencies in eastern Congo, through a statement released by Human Rights watch, have called on the UN's Monuc force to stop logistical support to the forces engaged in the operation.

Besides eastern Congo, President Kabila is also facing a crisis in his ties with Angola which has expelled thousands of Congolese in a tit-for-tat exchange.

Politically, President Kabila, who was elected to a new term in 2006 after taking power in 2001 is sending worrying signals as he abuses the 2005 constitution that called for sharing of power between the provinces and Kinshasa.

The constitution called for an executive Prime Minister and revenue and power-sharing by Kinshasa and the other provinces.

Says Mr Giullaume: "The problem now is the powers enjoyed by Kabila and new people around him".

One of those calling the shots in Kinshasa is Mr Katumba Mwanke who holds no elected post but wields massive powers.

Mr Mwanke's appearance on the scene follows the ousting of the Speaker of the National Assembly Mr Vital Kamerhe after he questioned the Rwanda-Congo deal.

With Kabila now fully in charge, it is unlikely local elections planned for October 2010 will take place. The government says it has no money for the polls. Also affected are presidential and Parliamentary polls set for 2011.


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Comments 1 to 3 of 3 Post a comment

  • katembomali2
    Oct 15 2009, 08:45

    Congolese people currently living in eastern DRC and particularly in SOUTH and NORTH KIVU PROVINCES are being massively killed by armed groups day and night ,whereas President JOSEPH KABILA KABANGE had declared that prisons were already opened for all mislawyers who could reiterate doing criminal acts during his investiture of 2006.Now ,considering the recently 1000 killed civilians,7000 raped women and 6000 burned houses in both KIVUS ,crimes committed by armed groups or DRC regular FORCES during KIMIA 2 Ooperations ,President JOSEPH KABILA should take immediate actions sending investigators on the terrain to arrest all the criminals operating in the mentioned regions.Otherwise the natives of KIVUS are actually living a terrible and systematic massacre which deserves to be abolished the earliest possible and without any condition because human-beings are not to be confused with animals.Nevertheless,as the case above is like a cold genocid,the International Community and the DRC government should concentrate their efforts on the case because things will be worst in case a durable peace solution will have failed to be established in the regions.This should be really avoided

  • Francesco Sinibaldi
    Oct 23 2009, 08:29

    Le cours de la vie.

    Quand je pense au premier âge de ma jeunesse, une corporelle rime m'appelle silencieuse comme une blanche harmonie, et un chant disparaît....

    Francesco Sinibaldi

  • mosesafari
    Dec 19 2009, 11:29

    Dear all, I have to be very short and clear in the items below for your attention and action.

    a) Many people committed crimes in different ways but they are not arrested and still working and holding a high Rank in the DRC army, why don't they: criminals not to face the justice. b) I heard from different sources that the United Nations can now pull out, is it true that all armed groups are already neutralized and that the DRC army will be able to handle the matters alone without any the UN? b)As far as I am concerned many people have blamed the UN but we Congolese and Rwanda have to be grateful to the job achieved and they are still having a big and heavy job to achieve.

    c) can you imagine, people are not punished even though they are accused with evidences, how do you think the Country can end up the war and corruption?

    d) If you can see clear the current security situation, first of all, in Dongo, Ituri, FRF,Gen Gad( Rutshuru), Gen Lafontaine(mai mai) Lt Col Emmanuel Ex CNDP and FPJC all the groups quoted above are still in DRC then, how can the DRC Army be able to kick out the Mission(UN) which is supposed to bring light on the criminals? President Kabila was asked by CPI to arrest criminals but in vain that means he is behind what's going.