Concerns are rising over the threat of renewed conflict between the government and rebel groups in the Democratic Republic of Congo, as a BBC report reveals that both sides are re-arming in the east of the country.
It is reported that the government has flown six plane-loads of ammunition and arms into the city of Goma, despite the signing of a peace agreement with rebel forces in January 2008. Meanwhile, rebel leader General Nkunda of the National Congress for the Defence of the Congolese (CNDP) is believed to be recruiting new troops beyond the boundaries of DRC in Rwanda and Burundi. Civil society sources say large quantities of illicit arms are being diverted to rebel groups from insecure government stockpiles, and there are fears that rearmament by the government will only fuel such proliferation.
The peace deal signed by the DRC government and rebel leaders at the start of the year called for an end to fighting in Eastern Congo. All parties agreed to the disarmament of rebel troops and for their integration into the national army.
Both civil society and EU representatives in DRC now fear that stability is threatened by reports of rearmament and the civilian population will be left increasingly vulnerable. IANSA member Securitas Congo notes that over 150, 000 civilians have been displaced in the Kivus areas since January and there have been over 2,000 reports of rape.
Securitas Congo believes it is vital that the international community monitor the rearmament and calls for the UN to strengthen the arms embargo on the eastern region of DRC to prevent another outbreak of conflict.
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