RCD “not leaving” Kisangani

The Rwandan-backed rebel Rassemblement congolais pour la democratie (RCD) has revoked an earlier agreement with the UN to withdraw from Kisangani, on the grounds that the town would be exposed to attack from opposing forces. “We are Congolese. The international community should direct their anger to Uganda and Rwanda, whom they accuse of destroying the town and killing people,” RCD Vice-President and high command chairman Jean-Pierre Ondekane told IRIN. “In any case, whom do we entrust with security of our people and their property? If Kabila flies in commandos and they take over the town, who takes the responsibility? The UN? We are not leaving - even if it means all of us dying here,” Ondekane said. UN Security Council resolution 1034 calls on all armed groups to leave Kisangani. Uganda and Rwanda, whose troops fought each other in the city last month, have since withdrawn their troops. The UN intends to use Kisangani as a logistical centre to supply military observers in the field. “The mandate of the force to be deployed in Kisangani will be to use the airports to supply UN military observers in the field, and to provide security to UN monitors and civilian staff. The administration and security will be left to the local authorities, which is the RCD-Goma,” Lt-Col Khalid told IRIN.