MSF calls for more protection of Congo civilians
NAIROBI, Kenya (Reuters) - Doctors Without Borders/Medecins Sans Frontieres said Friday international efforts to intervene in the Congo's war-ravaged northeast had failed to protect civilians and warned of renewed massacres if stronger measures were not taken.
The humanitarian group said in a report released Friday the presence of two international forces in the northeastern Congolese town of Bunia had only given an "illusion" of peace.
However, the region remained insecure and the few aid organizations there had found it difficult to operate.
"Medecins Sans Frontieres would like to emphasize that recent military deployments have failed to provide civilians with real protection and that aid in the region is inadequate," MSF said in the report.
A French-led multinational force was sent to keep the peace in Bunia in June after fighting between militias allied to the Hema and Lendu tribes killed hundreds of people and forced thousands from their homes.
The United Nations' permanent mission in Congo, MONUC, lacks the mandate and manpower to stop the bloodshed. The U.N. has come under growing pressure to strengthen MONUC's role before the mandate of the French-led force expires on September 1.
MSF said the multinational force had given a "false sense of protection," yet thousands of residents were still wary of returning to their homes and were choosing to stay in a camp close to Bunia's airport.
"Murders continue at night in Bunia, that is why people still live in the camp," said Michel Clerc, an executive director of MSF at the launch of the report.
He urged the U.N. to make sure that there is no vacuum left in Bunia after the French-led force pull out.
"We know by experience that if no appropriate measures are taken to fill the vacuum when they leave there will be further massacres," he said.
MSF called on the U.N. Security Council, expected to decide on MONUC's future role next week, to put pressure on the political players in the Democratic Republic of Congo's war.
MSF said despite the peace process in Congo, which led to a new power-sharing government last week, killings were continuing in other parts of the country's northeastern region.
"We should not think that because of the peace process, in which we all hold a lot of hope, there is peace. There isn't," said Hilary Bower, MSF's assistant head of mission in Congo.
07/25/03 08:55 ET
