Rebels accuse MONUC of causing inflation

The rebel Rassemblement congolais pour la democratie (RCD-Goma) has accused the UN Mission in Congo (MONUC) of causing inflation by bringing large amounts of Congolese francs into eastern DRC. “The rules are that they should come here with hard currency. We have already warned them on the issue,” Bizima Karaha, the RCD’s head of intelligence and security told IRIN on Tuesday.

According to AFP, rebel-controlled television in Goma reported that the inflation rate had risen in just a few days due to the money injected by MONUC. “A few days ago, the exchange rate was 20 FC to a dollar, now the black market rate is 30 FC to a dollar, a depreciation of US $50 in less than a month,” the television reported. Local authorities blame the inflation mainly on the massive injection of 10 FC and 20 FC notes from government-held areas. MONUC staff are not subjected to any checks when leaving or entering rebel-held territories. “We gave them diplomatic status in our areas which they should not abuse,” Karaha said.

MONUC spokesman, squadron leader Peter Riley, said MONUC had no knowledge of the money complaint from the RCD. “We have not received any official complaint from RCD-Goma,” he said. “This is the first time I am hearing this.”