In a fresh attempt to help bring peace to Congo, the Security Council voted unanimously Monday to strengthen the UN military presence and impose an arms embargo in the resource-rich east where rival factions continue to defy a cease-fire. The council's resolution will increase the UN peacekeeping force from 8.700 to 10,800 troops, a move welcomed by Secretary-General Kofi Annan, who called for an expanded UN military presence with a more robust mandate.
| Like maybe to include shooting bad guys and protecting civilians? Nah. That'd never work... |
The additional troops are expected to replace an emergency French-led international force sent to Bunia in northeastern Congo last month to stem fighting between rival tribal factions that has killed hundreds of people. The international force, expected to reach 1,500 troops, is scheduled to leave by Sept 1. It reinforced 750 UN troops that have been deployed in Bunia since April. An advance 450-strong Bangladeshi contingent that will lead the UN force once the French-led force departs is already in Bunia. |