Congo rebels block U.N. troops

KIGALI, Rwanda -- Rebels in the Democratic Republic of Congo have prevented U.N. peace monitors from entering one of the country's key cities.

One-hundred-and-twenty Moroccan troops were scheduled to land in the strategic north-eastern city of Kisangani on Sunday.

Their deployment was part of U.N.-brokered peace initiative, agreed in February, aimed at bringing to an end the civil war that has split the country since 1998.

Rebels forces, however, refused to allow the Moroccan units to land, insisting that the U.N. Mission to Congo (MONUC) must first condemn alleged atrocities by government forces.

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"We cannot let this deployment take place as long as the United Nations mission for Congo has not publicly condemned these atrocities," said Joseph Mudumbi, head of the main rebel movement, the Rally for Congolese Democracy (RCD).

Rebel forces allege that government troops encroached on land it had vacated as part of the February peace deal.

During the encroachment, in Eastern Kasai province, seven civilians are alleged to have been killed by government troops, four raped and thousands forced to flee.

U.N. envoy Kamal Morjane confirmed on Sunday that observers had found evidence of atrocities in Eastern Kasai, but said it would be several days before a report could be published.

The civil war in Congo began in August 1998. Rebel forces allied with Rwanda, Burundi and Uganda have been fighting the Congolese government which is supported by Angola, Zimbabwe and Namibia.

The war has split the country roughly in two, with the rebels controlling the eastern half and the government the west. Kisangani is the largest city held by the rebels.

A ceasefire was agreed in July 1999, but was only implemented in February following the death of President Laurent Kabila.

According to the U.N. peace plan, both sides agreed to withdraw 15 kms (nine miles) behind their front lines, while 2,500 blue-helmeted U.N. troops would be deployed around the country to monitor the peace.

So far 400 have been deployed, half in government held territory, and half in regions held by the rebels.

Reuters contributed to this report.

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U.N. Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
Lusaka Ceasefire Document
Permanent Mission of the Democratic Republic of The Congo
Congolese Rally for Democracy-Liberation Movement
Jane's Information Group: Democratic Republic of Congo (Zaire)
Human Rights Watch 1999 report on the Democratic Republic of Congo
The International Rescue Committee
  • Congo Mortality Study
Congo Defense Fund (CDF)

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