ONE PERSON was killed after hundreds of angry civilians stoned UN peacekeeping bases in northeastern Democratic Republic of Congo on Monday, blaming it for failing to stem violence in the rebellion-plagued region.
Yesterday UN troops prepared to evacuate about 50 foreign aid workers as rebels fought their way along a strategic road towards Rutshuru, some 100km (62 miles) north of North Kivu's provincial capital, Goma, drawing within 10km (6.2 miles) of Rutshuru.
Protesters, including children, had descended upon several UN compounds in Goma, prompting UN soldiers at one facility to fire in the air to disperse the crowds, according to a UN spokeswoman.
She said it was unclear whether the civilian was killed by a falling rock or a bullet.
UN officials, who oversee a 17,000-soldier peacekeeping force, met local leaders on Monday in an attempt to calm the situation. And the newly-appointed force commander for UN troops, Lieut Gen Vicente Díaz de Villegas y Herrería, announced his resignation. It was unclear whether the resignation was related to the recent fighting between government troops and rebel militias. Officials cited "personal reasons".
Residents say the peacekeeping force, the largest in the world, has done little to stop the fighting. Joseph Mukulima (42), a pastor in Goma, said UN officials appeared to lack the resolve to end the conflict. "It's not in their interest, because if there is no [fighting] then they won't have a job."
Fighting has intensified between government troops and rebels. Thousands of civilians who earlier fled their homes have been forced to flee again from displacement camps. - ( LA Times-Washington Postservice)