Inside Politics Team
A new report on the continuing conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo has been submitted this month to the United Nations Security Council.
The report accuses neighboring countries of Uganda and Rwanda of among others aiding the conflict through covert support to Congolese rebels particularly the group led by Gen. Laurent Nkunda. It also accuses the Kinshasa government of supporting Rwandan Hutu dissidents with ties to the 1994 genocide.
In the case of Uganda the report notes that the National Congress for the Defence of the People (CNDP) officials mobilise financial and other support in Kampala - independently verified by Inside Politics to be the case. Following the joint Congo, Uganda and South Sudan attack on the rebels of the Lords Resistance Army we asked the Minister of Foreign Affairs (International Cooperation) whether Kampala would now be willing to assist Kinshasa to deal with Gen. Nkunda.
"The permission that Congo granted was negotiated in a bilateral agreement. It is a unique occurrence in our diplomacy and has nothing to do with any other commitments we have," said Henry Okello Oryem.
Oryem said the Congolese government demands would have to be negotiated separately as well. President's Yoweri Museveni and Joseph Kabila are expected this weekend to meet soon over security and corporation. However as the new UN report shows the situation is a lot more complicated. Below is an edited excerpt.
Gen Laurent Nkunda's support networks in the region
The National Congress for the Defence of the People (CNDP) is a political movement with a military wing called the Congolese National Army (ANC). Its political headquarters is based in Kitchanga and Kilolirwe (Masisi territory), led by its chairman, General Laurent Nkunda, while its military wing, which falls under Nkunda's command, is led by General Bosco Ntaganda.
CNDP control an estimated 4,000 to 7,000 soldiers. After the 26 October 2008 offensive, CNDP connected its previously separated western and eastern sectors by taking the strategic key town of Rutshuru.
It now controls roughly a third of Masisi and Rutshuru territories. It also has a political and financial support network that is active throughout the Great Lakes region and spans several continents. Representatives of CNDP are active in Kigali and Kampala, where they meet regularly with embassies.
According to numerous CNDP ex-combatants, several shipments of uniforms to the rebels from Rwanda have taken place. Seven soldiers gave individual recorded testimony that they had received new uniforms with Rwandan flags on the shoulder, and that they had to remove the flag with a razor blade.
There are allegations that CNDP receives shipments of ammunition through neighbouring countries, including Rwanda and Uganda.
The Group has not been able to corroborate those allegations. One of the principal sources of revenue for CNDP has been the control of the Bunagana customs on the Democratic Republic of the Congo/Uganda border.
http://www.monitor.co.ug/artman/publish/inside_politics/Rwanda_Uganda_aiding_Nkunda_-_UN_report_says_77178.shtml
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