Defence & Arms
UN Force Threatens Military Action Against Uganda Rebels
By Kenneth Oduor, Garowe 24/4/08
May 1, 2008 - 2:00:19 PM

KINSHASA, Congo - The United Nations peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has threatened to attack Uganda's Lords Resistance Army (LRA) should the rebels cold-shoulder peace talks.

  It is the first time since its formation that the UN force, popularly known as MONUC, is issuing an attack threat to the LRA. In 2006, Guatemalan peacekeepers who were part of MONUC were targeted and killed by LRA rebels in a restive part of the DRC.

  The UN force is now set to establish a base in Dungu, which is in eastern DRC to deal decisively with the Ugandan rebels, according to the MONUC peacekeeping force's head of regional unit, Mr. Gani Are.

  "We have a military plan for the LRA and we are only waiting for Kinshasa to signal us that they need help and we will get into action. We are deploying peacekeepers in Dungu with a focus on LRA movements," Gani said.

  Since setting up base in DRC jungles, LRA rebels have been crossing between Southern Sudan and the Central African Republic via Dungu, a loophole MONUC is now set to close.

  Gani was addressing a regional conference on the Great Lakes region on peace and security when he made the statement.

  The governments of Uganda and the DRC signed an agreement last year that tasked the two governments to flush out all rebel forces operating within their territories.

  Earlier this month, LRA rebel chief Joseph Kony refused to show up at the signing ceremony of a historic peace agreement with Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, with the rebel leader fearing arrest and charges of war crimes.