Security Council condemns fighting

The Security Council on Tuesday "strongly condemned" the renewed fighting between Rwanda and Uganda. In a statement, members of the Council demanded a cessation of hostilities and reiterated their call for the demilitarisation of the area as agreed to by both governments. Members said that the fighting in the DRC was in violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country and was incompatible with the Lusaka ceasefire agreement. They also expressed concern over military movements in Equateur province - particularly around Mbandaka - and called on all parties, especially the rebel Mouvement de liberation congolais (MLC), to cease all offensive operations. The Council further deplored the continued fighting in the Kivus and condemned all attacks on civilians. It equally deplored the deterioration of the human rights situation in the eastern part of the country, saying it was were "deeply concerned" at reports of the Katagota massacre. It requested the DRC authorities to "cooperate fully" in the inter-Congolese dialogue process and stressed that all those invited should be able to participate in the Cotonou meeting.