UMCOR Democratic Republic of Congo

UN Peacekeeping troop needed to prevent further violence

Update / 14 May 2003

The conflict in the Ituri area of Oriental province continues despite encouraging progress on the diplomatic front. On Apr 3, 2003, nearly all of the armed parties signed the new constitution for the interim government, thus paving the way for a transitional government. However some rebel splinter groups are still refusing to participate.

The unstable situation in Bunia continues with the re-emergence of hostilities this week as the various forces fight for control of the town. There have been a number of fatalities, as yet unconfirmed. Despite the presence of UN troops in the area, there are worries that the crisis may spiral out of control. According to Dr Skelton, there is a need for additional international peacekeeping troops to prevent the situation from deteriorating further.

14 March 2003

Bunia, in north-eastern DRC, has seen fierce fighting in recent weeks as the Union of Congolese Patriots (UPC) tries to wrest control of the town from the allied Uganda People's Defence Forces (UPDF) and the Front pour l'Intégration de la Paix en Ituri (FIPI). News of a civilian massacre in Bunia, in the Ituri area of Oriental province, possibly involving in excess of 400 deaths, are as yet unconfirmed but the United Nations are reported to be sending an assessment team to the area in an attempt to bring about some kind of ceasefire.

According to the UMCOR Head of Mission in the DRC, Dr Shaun Skelton, action "is needed now, or the violence there will continue and lives will be lost needlessly."

Dr Skelton welcomes the information that the sides in the DRC peace talks have agreed to the stationing of a UN peacekeeping force in the region. The force, comprising non-Congolese troops from the UN member states, aims to prevent the resurgence of hostilities as the various parties in the conflict endeavour to reach agreement.

UMCOR is currently implementing a food security program in Katanga province, in the south-east of the country, and is in the process of conducting assessments and securing funding for additional programs.