UN gives rebels 48 hours to leave DR Congo city
The head of the M23 Congolese rebels, Roger Lumbala,
signs documents on February 6, 2013 at a press briefing in Kampala, Uganda. The
United Nations on Tuesday gave M23 rebel forces 48 hours to leave the city of
Goma in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo or face "the use of force."
Photo/File AFP
Posted Tuesday, July 30 2013 at 23:46
In Summary
- The United States last week called on Rwanda to end its backing of the rebel forces.
The United Nations on Tuesday gave M23 rebel forces 48 hours to leave the
city of Goma in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo or face "the use of
force."
A new UN intervention brigade will be used for the first time to help the DR
Congo army set up a "security zone" in the city, the UN said.
A statement by the UN mission in DR Congo, MONUSCO, gave M23 rebels in Goma
until 4:00pm (2000 GMT) on Thursday "to hand in their weapon to a MONUSCO base"
and join a demobilization program.
After then, "they will be considered an imminent threat of physical violence
to civilians and MONUSCO will take all necessary measures to disarm them,
including by the use of force in accordance with its mandate and rules of
engagement."
The UN-proposed security zone includes Goma and its northern
suburbs.
The M23 launched a new offensive against the DR Congo army outside Goma on
July 14.
"The M23 has used indiscriminate and indirect fire, including by heavy
weapons, resulting in
civilian casualties," MONUSCO said.
"The M23 has also targeted UN installations with its fire. The security zone
will push these indirect fire threats out of range of Goma. The security zone
may be expanded and repeated elsewhere, where it is needed."
UN experts and the DR Congo government have said Rwanda has supplied troops
and military aid to the M23, allegations denied by Kigali.
The United States last week called on Rwanda to end its backing of the rebel forces.
The United States last week called on Rwanda to end its backing of the rebel forces.
