Global Policy Forum

The United Nations security council is not considering slapping sanctions on Rwanda for its activities in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo, said French ambassador Jean-Marc de la Sabliere here on Wednesday. The ambassador was speaking at the end of a day of talks here with the military and political players of the DRC. He is leading a mission to the Great Lakes by ambassadors of the 15 members of the council.

In their meeting with President Joseph Kabila, the DRC leader called specifically for sanctions against Rwanda whom he blamed for the fighting in Ituri and the Kivus. "You know the situation in Ituri and North Kivu and you are responsible for the international response," Kabila told the envoys, according to sources within the meeting. "Rwanda is responsible for fighting in the east and it is time for sanctions to be applied against it." The French ambassador told reporters: "Our mission is to urge neighbouring countries to exert a positive influence on developments in the DRC. Sanctions are not on our agenda."

Sun City accord on April 1

De la Sabliere said the DRC players themselves had set a deadline of June 30 for putting the transitional government into place. The composition of that government was agreed in Pretoria last December and endorsed by the Sun City accord signed last April 1.

The June 30 deadline - which coincides with the DRC's independence day - was proposed by the follow-up committee, said de la Sabliere. That committee comprises representatives of the groups that signed the Sun City accord. The ambassador said: "The follow-up committee themselves mentioned June 30 and we have no reason to doubt them." He said the presence of the council members there for a fourth time was proof of the UN's commitment to the DRC.

The envoys move to Bunia on Thursday to see the humanitarian conditions that de la Sabliere described as "unacceptable". "We are going there to support the multinational force deploying there under the security council mandate until a more robust Monuc can take over in September," the ambassador said. "We are also going to talk to members of the Ituri interim administration, which is the only legitimate body there. The solution there has to be a political one. We cannot achieve a military solution."

'Extraordinary riches and human resources'

The ambassador said the council members wanted to see the DRC achieve its potential as an African giant. "We see the DRC as a country of considerable importance in Africa - in size and population. When the transitional government is in place the DRC will become a giant in Africa with its extraordinary riches and human resources," he said.

Monuc on Wednesday discounted reports that South African mercenaries and arms had arrived in the Kindu. "A contingent of South Africans comprises a Monuc task force charged with providing security for the disarmament, demobilisation, repatriation and reintegration (DDRR) operation in Kindu," said the statement.

The recent deployment of 1 200 men was much appreciated by Monuc and addressed its operational needs in terms of its mandate and those of the DRC people. "All contingents deployed in the DRC are armed and these arms are provided by the contributing countries and carried in containers. Allegations made in the press contain no proof and are vehicles for the suspicions of individuals calling themselves observers. Monuc believes their interpretation is erroneous and malevolent and contributes to a climate of suspicion in the DRC."

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