UN panel on DRC plunder meets officials

The panel of UN experts investigating the illegal exploitation of the natural resources and other forms of wealth were in Burundi between Wednesday 29 August and Saturday 1 September, the independent Radio Publique Africaine reported. The team, which was charged by the UN Security Council president to prepare an auxiliary report to the final report which was published on 12 April, met with high ranking government officials. The first panel’s report had implicated Uganda, Rwanda, DRC rebels and Burundi, to some extent, as being responsible for plundering DRC’s natural resources. All accused have said the report was biased. The new panel, which has new members, is looking for evidence to validate or invalidate the findings contained in the 12 April report. It is expected to submit its findings by the end of one month.