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Congolese beg UN for protection
Desperate Congolese civilians have pleaded with a top United Nations peacekeeper for more protection from eastern Congo's warring tribal militias. Drugged up militia fighters, some suspected of cannibalism, have killed hundreds of people with machetes, guns and bows and arrows but the small UN force in Bunia has neither the mandate nor the firepower to intervene. The UN wants an international force sent to the Ituri region and the under secretary general for peacekeeping, Jean-Marie Guehenno, flew into Bunia on Sunday to survey the situation. "I hope this deployment will happen as soon as possible and that the international community learns from this lesson," he told Reuters. "A multinational force sends a message that enough is enough."
| "We have filled out all the forms, and now we're just waiting for the paperwork to go through. And then you'll see, by Gad!" |
Mileyo Lotiyo, one of the local leaders who met Guehenno, said an international deployment was needed immediately.
| "What the hell do you mean, 'You've filled out the paperwork?' Duck! Cheeze, that was close!" |
The parties fighting for Bunia have signed a ceasefire, but the situation is far from stable and the crack of gunshots sent Guehenno's party scurrying for cover on Sunday.
Posted by: Fred Pruitt 2003-05-26 |
