Security Council debates conflict

The UN Security Council on Friday held a day-long debate on the DRC situation which included representatives of countries involved in the conflict. According to a UN press release, received by IRIN, DRC Human Rights Minister Leonard She Okitundu accused Rwanda and Uganda of being the “sole obstacles to peace” and blamed the international community for its “timid declaration” on violations of territory integrity. He said, however, the DRC would be prepared to sign a ceasefire accord once Rwanda and Uganda withdrew from the country and an intervention force was deployed along the eastern border. Rwanda’s representative Patrick Mazimhaka accused the DRC of “violating its own sovereignty” by accepting the presence of former Rwandan soldiers and militias. He said his country was ready to join the international community in finding a peaceful and lasting solution to the crisis. Uganda’s representative Amama Mbabazi said his country had neither territorial nor economic interests in DRC beyong the normal course of trade between countries. He urged the international community to act against the provision of safe havens to “genocidaires”. Zimbabwe - the DRC’s principal ally in the conflict - said the allied forces were ready to pull out as soon as Rwanda and Uganda withdrew and a peacekeeping force was deployed on the common border.