European Leaders Meet as First Troops Arrive in Congo
June 10, 2003
Congo is on Europe's agenda Tuesday, as military and government officials meet to decide what part the EU will have in stopping deadly fighting between ethnic militias in the northeast of the country.
Around 100 French soldiers, who will make up the majority of the United Nations peacekeeping troops in the embattled city of Bunia on Tuesday joined the 170 that landed on Saturday. European Union officials are meeting in Paris to determine what other European nations, who make up the lion's share of the 1,700-strong force, will participate. So far, Sweden, Great Britain and Belgium, as well as Brazil, Senegal and South Africa have promised troops.
After meeting with French President Jacques Chirac Tuesday afternoon, German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder told reporters that there would be no German soldiers on Congolese soil. Other commitments in Afghanistan, the Balkans and on the Horn of Africa will limit Germany's military involvement to plans to send a mobile surgical hospital, officers for the operation headquarters in Paris as well as transport planes.
Renewed bloodshed, number of dead unknown
Over the weekend, the Lendu milita broke their week-old cease-fire with the rival Hema militia with an attack to take back Bunia. Military experts warn that both sides have an extensive weapons arsenal that includes bazookas and rocket launchers.
The only safe zone at the moment, according to reports, is a small slice of U.N. territory, which currently houses hundreds of refugees as well as the small, lightly-armed contingent of U.N. troops currently assigned to the region.
Fight over oil-rich territory
After months of relative quiet, fighting between the two ethnic militias in the mineral and oil-rich Northeastern province of the central African republic began following the withdrawal of Ugandan peacekeeping troops in mid-May. The Democratic Republic of Congo has seen almost continued fighting in recent years, as surrounding nations like Uganda, Rwanda and the Sudan work to exert their influence on the unstable region.
Following some hesitation, the United Nations agreed last week to send a U.N. peacekeeping force to the region. France offered to lead the force and supplied the most troops.
Since then, more than a few European politicians have questioned whether the U.N. troops are experienced enough and outfitted with the right mandate to secure the peace in Bunia.