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Belgium warns against weakening of UN presence in DR Congo’s troubled east

Belgium warns against weakening of UN presence in DR Congo’s troubled east

The stability of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is in serious jeopardy from the resumption of fighting in the far east of the country, where the recruitment of child soldiers proceeds unabated, Belgium’s Foreign Minister Karel De Gucht told the General Assembly today.

The stability of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is in serious jeopardy from the resumption of fighting in the far east of the country, where the recruitment of child soldiers proceeds unabated, Belgium’s Foreign Minister Karel De Gucht told the General Assembly today.

In an address to the annual high-level debate at United Nations Headquarters in New York, Mr. De Gucht warned that the fragile situation in DRC’s North Kivu province was also creating severe humanitarian problems.

“This is not the time to reduce our efforts,” he said, referring to the presence of the UN peacekeeping mission to the country, known as MONUC, which he said has been crucial in re-establishing peace in recent years and setting up democratic institutions after a protracted civil war.

“We urgently need a global solution, including a regional dimension, that will also allow us to make better use of MONUC’s input. The Congolese authorities are preparing for the local elections, which will strengthen the democratic culture across the country. They need our full support.”

An estimated 300,000 people have fled their homes in North Kivu since the end of last year because of fighting between Government forces, renegade troops and other armed groups. The violence and displacement has been particularly intense in the last two months.

UN humanitarian agencies reported last week that they are stretched to their limits in trying to help the people escaping the fighting.