Rebels give reasons for stopping UN deployment

The UN troops from Morocco were due to deploy in Kisangani on Sunday, in keeping with the Lusaka peace accord and Harare sub-plan, but the RCD refused to allow their plane to land, demanding UN condemnation of alleged ceasefire violations by government forces in Kasai and Katanga provinces. In a press statement last week, the RCD accused the Kinshasa government of “deliberately wanting to torpedo the Lusaka accords”. It claimed several civilians had been killed, others wounded, and houses burnt and looted by government soldiers in the two provinces. The statement also called on the UN Observer Mission in DRC (MONUC) to deploy to Kasai to “verify the facts”. In a second statement, received by IRIN on Monday, the RCD said it could not justify the deployment of UN troops on its territory until it “receives the assurance that the principle of reciprocity...has been respected”. “Up to now, nobody knows whether the deployment of the first contingent of Senegalese in [government-held] Kananga town has been completed,” the statement said. “The RCD, which until now has been the best pupil of MONUC, by following to the letter its engagements, would not wish to regret its goodwill gestures.” It called on MONUC to deploy to areas “where belligerent troops are in contact, or likely to be in contact”. “At this point, it is difficult for the RCD to say that it is satisfied with the work of MONUC,” the statement added.