Kinshasa denounces Ugandan troop movement in Congo

KINSHASA (Reuters) -- The Congolese government has accused Uganda of redeploying troops in the north of the Democratic Republic of the Congo in defiance of a 1999 peace accord.

Colonel David Kokolo, cabinet director at the defense ministry, said in a statement read on state radio late on Wednesday that the aim was to block a government offensive against rebels in the Libenge area.

He urged the United Nations and the international community to ensure respect for the peace deal by Uganda, which like Rwanda is backing rebels who took up arms in 1998.

"The defense ministry advises the national and international community of numerous violations of the Lusaka cease fire by Ugandan troops in Equateur Province," he said, accusing Uganda of reinforcing in the Libenge area.

"The government asks the United Nations and the international community to live up to their responsibilities in the face of these violations," he added.

Uganda and Rwanda sent troops into the Congo in support of rebels who took up arms against President Laurent Kabila in 1998. The rebels control the east and part of the north of the country.

Kokolo said that Uganda had moved soldiers to Libenge, on the border with neighboring Republic of Congo, to block a government offensive against rebel positions in the area.

He said that Ugandan troops from Gemena, Bumba and Basankunsuto had been or were being moved to Libenge.

He described the government offensive as an act of self-defense, saying it was aimed at retaking positions snatched by Congolese Liberation Movement (MLC) rebels after the peace deal.

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