Global Policy Forum

The Democratic Republic of Congo has called on the United Nations to impose economic sanctions on Rwanda, which it says has violated a UN-sponsored cease-fire. The move comes after Rwandan-backed rebels barred some UN peacekeepers from deploying in DR Congo's third biggest city, Kisangani. The troops were to have gone to the city on Sunday but rebel leaders have said they would not allow the deployment to take place until the UN condemns alleged cease-fire violations by Congolese forces. It is the first serious setback to the peace process in the DRC.

A UN plane carrying a first contingent of 120 Moroccan soldiers was refused permission to land while on its final approach to Kisangani. UN military spokesman George Kilburn told the BBC there was evidence confirming that government troops had burnt villages and killed some of the inhabitants.

A 3,000-strong international force is scheduled to deploy in the coming months along Congo's frontline positions. It will monitor and verify last month's 15km withdrawal by the six armies and two major rebel groups involved in the war.

BBC correspondents say the confrontation with the Rally for Congolese Democracy (RCD) is a real test of the UN's resolve. They say the rebels think the UN is biased in favour of the Kinshasa government. The RCD feels it did not get enough praise for its prompt withdrawal from forward positions last month. It also resents the fact that virtually all the peacekeepers come from former French colonies. France is not seen as an ally of Rwanda or the rebels.

Frustration

UN force commander Mountago Diallo described the situation as frustrating. He said the RCD should not be making such demands of the UN mission. The UN had already verified the cease-fire violations, as agreed by all sides to the conflict. Earlier, the UN had expressed its determination to go ahead with the deployment of the Moroccans, despite the Rwandan-backed rebel objections.

But rebel leader Adolphe Onusumba said he would regard any such move as a "declaration of war". "They will not deploy in Kisangani before they publish a report on attacks within our territory," he said.

Troops diverted

The Moroccan troops were diverted to Nairobi and eventually landed in Bangui, the capital of the Central African Republic. UN observers have confirmed that they are looking into allegations that civilians had been raped and murdered by government troops in rebel-held areas of the Eastern Kasai province.

But UN envoy Kamel Morjane said a report on the alleged atrocities would not be published for several days. He told the BBC it had not even been written yet. Kisangani, the country's third-largest city has been the scene of fierce fighting between Ugandan and Rwandan forces backing separate rebel movements.

Further UN contingents are due to arrive over the next few days. Mr Morjane said the chances for peace were better than ever, following two-and-a-half years of conflict.