UN plans to send another force to DRC

BRAZZAVILLE: Preparations are under way by the UN for the deployment of a third rapid reaction battalion to support the current UN Organisation Stabilisation Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (Monusco). Members of these units are trained in jungle combat.

The planned deployment follows increasing political instability and violence, including an attack last month on a UN base by suspected members of the Allied Democratic Forces, an Islamist group originating in Uganda, which killed 15 Tanzanian peacekeepers and wounded 43.

Political unrest and violence have spiked following recent protests in the wake of President Joseph Kabila’s refusal to step down, despite his mandate ending in 2016.

The bloodshed has been exacerbated by rival militias vying for power and control over abundant natural resources.

In recent months, armed groups in the eastern DRC launched repeated attacks on positions of the Congolese army, severely impacting the civilian population.

Jean-Pierre Lacroix, the UN’s under secretary-general for peacekeeping operations, warned on Tuesday that political brinkmanship and a refusal to compromise would only further delay the much-anticipated presidential elections.

Lacroix said that despite significant progress in preparations for elections, the implementation of the December 31, 2016, political agreement remained only partial.

The agreement allowed Kabila to stay beyond the end of his term and stipulated that peaceful, credible and inclusive elections would be organised by the end of December last year. The polls were reportedly pushed back to this December, sparking protests. – African News Agency (ANA)