Conflict in eastern DR Congo will not be resolved by force alone – UN envoy

The use of force alone will not bring about a solution to the problems in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the head of the United Nations peacekeeping force there said today, as clashes continue between Government troops and rebels in North Kivu.

Alan Doss told a news conference in the capital, Kinshasa, that the solution lies in implementing the proposed disengagement plan which includes three phases – an immediate ceasefire and separation of forces, disarmament and demobilization, and the return to civilian life.

The plan also foresees a redeployment of the national armed forces (FARDC) to garrisons and the gradual deployment of the National Police.

“Only in this way can we hope to put an end to the armed conflict, reduce significantly violence against women and children, and facilitate the return of hundreds of thousands of displaced people to their homes,” said Mr. Doss, who is the Secretary-General’s Special Representative for DRC as well as head of the UN mission, known by its French acronym MONUC.

Last week Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon had called on the rebel National Congress for People’s Defence (CNDP) and the Congolese Government to immediately observe an effective ceasefire and cooperate with UN peacekeepers to achieve a separation of forces.

The continued fighting between FARDC and the CNDP – in violation of a peace deal signed in January – “add to the suffering of the civilian population and risks provoking wider conflict in the region,” Mr. Ban said in a statement issued by his spokesperson.

Fighting in recent days in Tongo in North Kivu’s Rutshuru territory has driven the local population out of their homes to seek shelter near MONUC’s base there, Mr. Doss reported. MONUC peacekeepers are sharing their food rations with women and children from some 400 families.

He stressed that MONUC’s primary goal remains protecting vulnerable populations, but added that it was reassessing its approach in light of the risks posed by the ongoing hostilities. MONUC personnel are faced with situations where they must first try to protect themselves from hostile crowds before they can come to the aid of vulnerable populations.

Meanwhile, MONUC reported that a committee was launched yesterday to facilitate the implementation of the disengagement plan in neighbouring South Kivu, which has also seen its share of the recent fighting.

The Provincial Committee for the Coordination of Disengagement Operations in South Kivu is made up of about 20 members representing political groups, the military and police, as well as the international facilitation team including the UN and the armed groups. Its creation follows a similar development in North Kivu a few days ago.

In addition, joint patrols have been officially launched between DRC police and MONUC’s Formed Police Units (FPU) in Goma, the provincial capital of North Kivu, aimed at improving security and free movement in the area.

Some 56 Congolese police officers were provided training prior to the launch of the patrols by members of MONUC’s Indian FPU.