CONGO-DEM.REPUBLIC 21/6/2004 14:30 KAMANYOLA: ALSO UN MISSION INVOLVED IN CLASHES WITH âDISSIDENTâ SOLDIERS General, Brief The forces of the United Nations Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUC) yesterday opened fire against the âdissidentâ soldiers headed by Colonel Jules Mutebusi and holed up for days in the location of Kamanyola, in east DR-Congo along the border with Rwanda. The news was referred to MISNA by MONUC military spokesman Commander Abou Thiam, specifying that around 2:30p.m. a MONUC patrol responded to fire of some armed men present in Kamanyola. âYesterdayâs intervention is a strong message to all. We intend to fully apply Chapter 7 of the UN Charter (relative to the use of force)â, underlined to MISNA Commander Thiam. The UN mission spokesman did not provide ulterior details and was not able to give a precise toll of the operation. Straight after the MONUC intervention a heavy attack was reportedly launched by the Congolese regular forces that for days are engaged in efforts to defeat Mutebusiâs men (responsible for the violence that afflicted Bukavu until mid June) and force them out of Kamanyola, where the âdissidentâ soldiers holed up after being repelled from the capital of South Kivu. Radio France International âRFIâ yesterday reported the intervention of some MONUC combat helicopters in support of Congolese regular forces in the Kamanyola clashes. [BO]
