Jump to content

2008 Nord-Kivu campaign: Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous editNext edit →
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
Removed {{Current war}}, intended for articles edited by many on the same day. Template:Current#Guidelines.
I checked the source, that's not what it says
Line 46: Line 46:


===Diplomatic and humanitarian effort===
===Diplomatic and humanitarian effort===
On 31 October Nkunda declared that he would create a "humanitarian aid corridor", a no-fire zone where displaced persons would be allowed back to their homes, given the consent of the United Nations task force in the Congo. Working with the UN forces around Goma, Nkunda hopes to relocate victims of the recent fighting between his CNDP forces and UN peacekeepers. MONUC spokesman Kevin Kennedy stated that MONUC's forces are stretched thin trying to keep peace within and around the city; recent looting by Congolese soldiers has made it harder to do so as incidents arise both within city limits and outside. According to Anneke Van Woudenberg, a [[Human Rights Watch]] researcher, more than 20 people were killed overnight in Goma alone. Meanwhile, Secretary of State [[Condoleezza Rice]] contacted Rwandan President Paul Kagame to discuss a long-term solution.<ref name=CNNaid>{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/africa/10/30/congo.rebel/index.html|title=Rebel general offers aid corridor for Congo|publisher=[[CNN]]|date=2008-10-31|accessdate=2008-10-31}}</ref>
On 31 October Nkunda declared that he would create a "humanitarian aid corridor", a no-fire zone where displaced persons would be allowed back to their homes, given the consent of the United Nations task force in the Congo. Working with the UN forces around Goma, Nkunda hopes to relocate victims of the recent fighting between his CNDP forces and UN peacekeepers. MONUC spokesman Kevin Kennedy stated that MONUC's forces are stretched thin trying to keep peace within and around the city; recent looting by Congolese soldiers has made it harder to do so as incidents arise both within city limits and outside. According to Anneke Van Woudenberg, a [[Human Rights Watch]] researcher, more than 20 people were killed overnight in Goma alone.


Also on 31 October British Foreign Minister [[David Miliband]] and French Foreign Minister [[Bernard Kouchner]] flew to the region, with the intention of stopping in Kinhasa, Goma, and possibly Kigali.<ref>{{cite news |title=French and British FMs head to DR Congo |url=http://www.eubusiness.com/news-eu/1225456322.75 |publisher=EU business |date=2008-10-31 |accessdate=2008-10-31}}</ref> Miliband said that the United Kingdom was providing £42 million in humanitarian aid to the area.
Also on 31 October British Foreign Minister [[David Miliband]] and French Foreign Minister [[Bernard Kouchner]] flew to the region, with the intention of stopping in Kinhasa, Goma, and possibly Kigali.<ref>{{cite news |title=French and British FMs head to DR Congo |url=http://www.eubusiness.com/news-eu/1225456322.75 |publisher=EU business |date=2008-10-31 |accessdate=2008-10-31}}</ref> Miliband said that the United Kingdom was providing £42 million in humanitarian aid to the area.

Revision as of 18:24, 3 November 2008

Battle of Goma
Part of the Kivu conflict

The Kivu region
DateOctober 26, 2008–present
Location
Around Goma (Kivu, Democratic Republic of the Congo)
Status Peace deal signed; small pockets of gunfire exist
Belligerents
CNDP freedom fighters  Democratic Republic of the Congo
 United Nations MONUC forces
Commanders and leaders
Laurent Nkunda Democratic Republic of the Congo Army elements of the Democratic Republic of the Congo
United Nations Lieutenant General Babacar Gaye
Strength
6,000–8,000[1] 20,000 (government)[citation needed]
17,000 (United Nations)[2] (with 850 in Goma)[3]
Casualties and losses
Not yet reported Not yet reported
20 civilians and possible rebels killed by Congolese looters

The Battle of Goma is a 2008 armed conflict around the city of Goma in the Democratic Republic of the Congo between the Democratic Republic of Congo's army, supported by the United Nations, and Tutsi freedom fighters under General Laurent Nkunda.

The fighting, which started on October 27, has uprooted 250,000 civilians, bringing the total of people displaced by the Kivu conflict to more than 2 million,[4][5] causing civil unrest[6] large food shortages[5]and what the United Nations calls, “a humanitarian crisis of catastrophic dimensions.” [7]

Background

Main article: Kivu conflict

Nkunda's rebels had been active since 2004, where they occupied Bukavu and reportedly committed war crimes.[8] Nkunda's troops claim to be protecting the rich Tutsi minority which he believes are not protected well enough against another genocide from the Hutu's who he believes the government supported during the hectic Second Congo War.[9] In the process of "protecting" the Tutsi minority Nkunda's rebels have occupied many mineral rich areas of the Congo including Virunga National Park. Fighting continued, with clashes between Congolese forces and Nkunda's rebels common until a peace deal was brokered in 2008; however, fighting did not stop.[10]

Timeline

Rebels push towards Goma

On October 26, Nkunda's rebels seized a major military camp, along with Virunga National Park for use as a base to launch attacks from. This occurred after a peace treaty failed, with the resultant fighting displacing thousands.[11] The park was taken due to its strategic location on a main road leading to the city of Goma.

On October 27, riots began around the United Nations compound in Goma, and civilians pelted the building with rocks and threw Molotov cocktails, claiming that the UN forces had done nothing to prevent the rebel advance.[6] The Congolese national army also carried out a "major retreat" due to pressure from the rebel army.[6] Meanwhile, United Nations gunships and armoured vehicles were used in an effort to halt the advance of the rebels, who claim to be within 7 miles (11 kilometers) of Goma.[2] Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for DRC Alan Doss explained the necessity of engaging the rebels, stating that "...[the UN] can't allow population centers to be threatened... [the UN] had to engage."[12]

[in response to seeing government troops retreat] "What are they doing? They are supposed to protect us."

Internal refugee Jean-Paul Maombi [13]

"We have reinforced our presence [in the region]... We have put all our resources on alert to deter any further progression, trying to contain the aggression in those areas. CNDP is not listening to anyone anymore."

MONUC spokeswoman Sylvie van den Wildenberg[13]

On October 28, five rockets were fired at a convoy of UN vehicles protecting a road to the territorial capital of Rutshuru, hitting two armoured personnel carriers. The APCs, which contained Indian Army troops, were relatively undamaged, though a Lieutenant Colonel and two other personnel were injured.[14] Rebel forces later captured the town. Meanwhile, civilians continued to riot, at some points pelting retreating Congolese troops with rocks, though UN spokeswoman Sylvie van den Wildenberg stated that the UN has "reinforced [their] presence" in the region.[13]

Ceasefire

On October 29 the rebels declared a unilateral ceasefire as they approached Goma, though they still intended to take the city.[15] That same day a French request for an EU reinforcement of 1,500 troops was refused by several countries and appeared unlikely to materialize; however, the UN forces in place stated they would act to prevent takeovers of population centers.[15][16] Throughout the day the streets of the city were filled with refugees and fleeing troops, including their tanks and other military vehicles.[15] There were also reports of looting and commandeering of cars by Congolese troops.[17] That night the UN Security Council unanimously adopted a non-binding resolution which condemned the recent rebel advance and demanded it be halted.[18]

Despite the ceasefire, the situation remains volatile; according to World Vision spokesman Michael Arunga, World Vision workers had to flee to the Rwandan border in order to work, and shots were still being fired. The United States Department of State reported sending Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Jendayi Frazer as an envoy to the region.[19]

On October 30 looting and violence by Congolese soldiers, some of them drunk, continued in Goma, though contingents of other troops and paramilitary police attempted to contain the looting by patrolling the streets in pick-up trucks.[20] Nkunda called for direct talks with the Congolese government,[21] also stating that he would take Goma "if there is no ceasefire, no security and no advance in the peace process."[3]

Diplomatic and humanitarian effort

On 31 October Nkunda declared that he would create a "humanitarian aid corridor", a no-fire zone where displaced persons would be allowed back to their homes, given the consent of the United Nations task force in the Congo. Working with the UN forces around Goma, Nkunda hopes to relocate victims of the recent fighting between his CNDP forces and UN peacekeepers. MONUC spokesman Kevin Kennedy stated that MONUC's forces are stretched thin trying to keep peace within and around the city; recent looting by Congolese soldiers has made it harder to do so as incidents arise both within city limits and outside. According to Anneke Van Woudenberg, a Human Rights Watch researcher, more than 20 people were killed overnight in Goma alone.

Also on 31 October British Foreign Minister David Miliband and French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner flew to the region, with the intention of stopping in Kinhasa, Goma, and possibly Kigali.[22] Miliband said that the United Kingdom was providing £42 million in humanitarian aid to the area.

Effectiveness of humanitarian effort

The humanitarian effort has been reported to be far underfunded, as thousands of refugees returned to rebel-held territory rather than stay in the U.N.-governed camps. This was reported to be due to the lack of food, water and hygiene facilities.[23]

Casualties

While specific casualties have not been released, various sources have reported that an estimated 45,000 people die a month in the Congo, mostly of malnutrition and disease. Congo's monthly death rate of 2.2 deaths for each 1,000 people -- essentially unchanged from the last survey in 2004 - is nearly 60 percent higher than the average for sub-Saharan Africa. [24][25]

After the October 29 ceasefire, looting in Goma by Congolese soldiers was said to have caused at least 20 deaths.[26]

Reactions

The World Food Program stated that due to the displacement of approximately 200,000 in the region since August, malnourishment has risen and there have been some cases of death due to starvation. According to a spokesman, the agency is short 33,000 tons of food if they are to last to March 2009, and will need US$46 million in donations to obtain it.[5]

The United States Department of State pushed for cooperation between Congo and the neighbouring countries of Rwanda and Uganda, stating that they "need to work together" to rein in "militia groups and other negative forces." Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Jendayi Frazer is scheduled to visit the region and urge talks.[2] The Financial Times called on the United States and the UK to use their leverage over the Rwandan government to prevent a larger conflict.[27]

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon asked all involved parties "to make every effort to restore calm among the affected populations",[2] due to concerns that the clash may spark widespread conflict.[28]

References

  1. ^ "Congo rebels call for peace talks". BBC News. 2007-12-13. Retrieved 2008-10-28.
  2. ^ a b c d "U.N. gunships battle rebels in east Congo". CNN. 2008-10-28. Retrieved 2008-10-28.
  3. ^ a b Boussen, Yves (2008-10-31). "Congo rebels warn of city occupation". The Independent. Retrieved 2008-10-30.
  4. ^ EU envoys call for Congo action (BBC News)
  5. ^ a b c "U.N. says recent Congo fighting uproots 200,000". CNN. 2008-10-27. Retrieved 2008-10-28.
  6. ^ a b c "Protesters attack U.N. HQ in eastern Congo". CNN. 2008-10-24. Retrieved 2008-10-28.
  7. ^ "Congo rebels 'cease fire' as UN urges restraint". Financial Times. 2008-10-29. Retrieved 2008-10-31.
  8. ^ Walsh, Declan (2004-06-03). "Rebel troops capture Bukavu and threaten third Congo war". The Independent. Retrieved 2008-10-28. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  9. ^ "FinancialTimes.com editorial". Financial Times. 2008-10-30. Retrieved 2008-10-31.
  10. ^ "After Two Key Deals, What Progress Towards Peace in North Kivu?". AllAfrica.com. 2008-05-14. Retrieved 2008-10-28.
  11. ^ "Thousands flee fighting as Congo rebels seize gorilla park". CNN. 2008-10-26. Retrieved 2008-10-28.
  12. ^ "UN joins battle with Congo rebels". BBC. 2008-10-27. Retrieved 2008-10-28.
  13. ^ a b c "Thousands flee rebel advance in Congo". CNN. 2008-10-28. Retrieved 2008-10-28.
  14. ^ "Armymen hurt in Congo". The Hindu. 2008-10-30. Retrieved 2008-10-31.
  15. ^ a b c Philp, Catherine (2008-10-30). "UN peacekeepers braced for full-scale war in central Africa". The Times. Retrieved 2008-10-30.
  16. ^ Faul, Michelle (2008-10-29). "Congo rebels reach Goma edge, declare cease-fire". Associated Press. Retrieved 2008-10-29.
  17. ^ Gettleman, Jeffrey (2008-10-29). "Many Flee as Congo Rebels Approach Eastern City". The New Yotk Times. Retrieved 2008-10-29.
  18. ^ "Le Conseil de sécurité condamne l'avancée des rebelles dans l'est de la RDC" (in French). Le Monde. 2008-10-30. Retrieved 2008-10-30.
  19. ^ "Congo rebels declare cease-fire to prevent panic". CNN. 2008-10-30. Retrieved 2008-10-30.
  20. ^ Barth, Patrick (2008-10-31). "Drunk and in retreat, troops unleash wave of death on their own people". The Times. Retrieved 2008-10-30.
  21. ^ "Rebels call for talks in Congo". Belfast Telegraph. 2008-10-31. Retrieved 2008-10-30.
  22. ^ "French and British FMs head to DR Congo". EU business. 2008-10-31. Retrieved 2008-10-31.
  23. ^ "Congo refugees brave rebels rather than stay in camps". CNN. 2008-11-03. Retrieved 2008-11-03.
  24. ^ "45,000 people die a month in Congo". China Daily. 2008-01-23. Retrieved 2008-10-31.
  25. ^ "Congo conflict causes 45,000 deaths a month". The Guardian. 2008-01-22. Retrieved 2008-10-31.
  26. ^ Cite error: The named reference CNNaid was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  27. ^ "Congo reignites". Financial Times. 2008-10-29. Retrieved 2008-10-30.
  28. ^ "UN peacekeepers battle rebels in eastern Congo". Earthtimes. 2008-10-28. Retrieved 2008-10-28.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=2008_Nord-Kivu_campaign&oldid=249452571"