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Refugees International: refugees situation update Date:
Sat, 30 Jan 1999 10:55:04 퍝 (MET)

"serv. informazioni Congosol" <congosol@skyol.it> To:
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REFUGEES INTERNATIONAL

January 15, 1999
Contact: Steven Smith

(202)828-0110

CONGO: THE CENTRAL AFRICAN TINDERBOX

One of the most explosive aspects of the crisis is heightened ethnic tensions caused by the propaganda of the DRC and other players. When the war started in August, the DRC government put out anti-Tutsi propaganda reminiscent of the hate broadcasts that preceded the 1994 genocide in Rwanda. Although toned down somewhat since, the effect of the propaganda has filtered throughout the population and will need to be countered with extensive education campaigns to reduce the damage done.

The civilian population is being increasingly traumatized. Often civilians are directly targeted. Rape, torture, and summary executions are also endemic to the conflict. On a recent visit to the Equateur region of DRC, Refugees International saw that the population is at extreme risk from the advance of the rebels headed by maverick rebel figure Bembe as well as from the government Force Armee Conglaise (FAC). The rebels have shown no regard for human life in their military operations, having indiscriminately bombarded Gemena and other towns resulting in the deaths of hundreds of innocent men, women and children. The FAC forces have also spread terror among the populace through the use of pillage and rape.

At particular risk are the remaining Rwandan Hutu refugees in Equateur, who face potential extermination by the rebels, many of them Rwandan Tutsi soldiers, in retribution for the 1994 genocide. These refugees are the remnants of the hundreds of thousands driven across Congo two years ago, also by Rwandan troops and with many of the refugees massacred.

In Congo (Brazzaville), itself quite unstable, over 100,000 people are now in temporary camps. ICRC and UNHCR have access to these internally displaced persons, but have no means of providing protection. The unaccompanied minors in the camps are being recruited for military service in DRC by Hutu perpetrators of the Rwandan genocide who have found sanctuary in Congo.

International agencies have been severely restricted in their relief activities; humanitarian groups have been targeted by the rebels with violence, pillaging, and intimidation, which has driven them from many areas. There has also been harassment on the part of the DRC government. In sensitive areas, the government's policy is to keep expatriate staff to a bare minimum, or out altogether.

The lack of international presence in many areas means that refugees cannot be protected aggressively and effectively. UNHCR has been encouraging NGOs to work in insecure areas where it cannot itself go; so far none have volunteered. In order to limit the suffering of the civilian population, the atrocities must stop and the operations of international agencies must be allowed to proceed unhindered.

Refugees International therefore recommends that: � A concerted and cooperative effort on the part of the donor countries -- specifically France and the US, as well as the countries in the region -- be orchestrated to achieve a cease-fire and stop the carnage. It is also critical that the regional aspect of the conflict be addressed through intense diplomatic efforts on all fronts, bolstering the Zambian-led peace process with intensive and high-profile international political backing.

� Support be directed to governments in the region with the aim of reducing the arms flow into the area, and the associated financial interest. Special efforts should be made along the lines of the UN commission on arms flows to Rwandan genocidaires (UNICOI).

� Donor countries begin working with UN agencies, NGOs, and government ministries to respond immediately to humanitarian needs. UN agencies, local and international NGOs, and government ministries are strapped for resources. Therapeutic feeding centers in many regions do not have any food at all. Vaccines for measles and polio are in critically short supply.

� Among the many needs for reconstruction of the devastated societies of the region, a priority must be placed on finding a productive role for the disaffected, uneducated young men who have fueled the fires of conflict. Experience in Mozambique and elsewhere demonstrates that when viable alternatives to military service are presented, young men will quickly opt for civilian life.

� As a core objective, all international aid take account of the need to strengthen the local NGOs and other civil organizations. Despite years of misrule under Mobutu and now an ongoing civil war, the civil society actors in Congo are surprisingly dynamic.

� The UN's criminal tribunal for the Rwandan genocide be expanded in scope to cover crimes against humanity throughout central Africa. All parties must know that there will be no impunity for the crimes now taking place and no rebel army or government leader will escape the consequences of their actions.

_____________________________________________________________________ Refugees International associate Steven Smith recently returned from a humanitarian assessment mission to the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

=================================================================== Refugees International -- 2639 Conn. Ave, NW, Washington, DC 20008 Phone: 202-828-0110 Fax: 202-828-0819 www: http://www.refintl.org ===================================================================

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