U.N. looks warily at sending peacekeepers to Congo

The United Nations says peacekeepers in the Congo would be on an "observer mission"

February 16, 2000
Web posted at: 4:29 p.m. EST (2129 GMT)

From staff and wires reports

KINSHASA, Congo (CNN) -- The United Nations may soon send a contingent of peacekeepers to the Democratic Republic of Congo, where rebel and government forces, backed by several other African nations, are ignoring a peace accord signed by all parties last fall.

The U.N. force -- expected to number around 5,500 -- would monitor the cease-fire, and be authorized to use force to protect itself or civilians. But the troops would have no enforcement responsibility.

VIDEO CNN's Charlayne Hunter-Gault shows preparations in Congo for the arrival of U.N. peacekeepers. Real 28K 80K Windows Media 28K 80K

"I would stress the role of this mission is an observer mission," said Col. James Baxter, part of a small advance contingent of liaison officers. "In no way is it an oppositional force."

But given that none of the warring parties are observing the cease-fire, the U.N. is emphatic about not committing its forces until it has confidence that all sides will respect its presence and its very specific role.

A vote on the increased U.N. presence in the Congo is not yet scheduled, although the Security Council is expected to vote on a resolution dealing with the crisis by February 23.

Rebels, backed by Rwanda and Uganda, and the government forces of President Laurent Kabila, backed by Zimbabwe, Namibia and Angola, have been battling since 1998, a year after Kabila overthrew dictator Mobuto Sese Seko and changed the country's name from Zaire to the Democratic Republic of Congo.

'Will Mr. Kabila respect the U.N. forces?'

The constant warfare has virtually paralyzed the central African nation, and has cast doubts on the ability of such a small number of peacekeepers to ensure a halt in the hostilities.

"I hope this will not bring us back to full war," said Kamel Morjane, the U.N.'s special representative to Kabila's Congo. "My objective is to pressure the parties to reach the point of non-return to war."

Kabila, right, says he is committed to the peace process

Kabila's government says it is committed to the process.

"Our forces have been given the order to respect the cease-fire, its mandate and its conditions," said Congolese Minister of Information Raphael Ghenda. "And our forces only respond in legitimate self defense."

But Kabila's critics say the U.N. is dealing with a man who cannot be trusted.

"Mr. Kabila has no education for the respect for laws written or oral," said opposition leader Joseph Olenghankoy-Mukundji. "It's here the difficulty is: Will Mr. Kabila respect the U.N. forces?"

The United Nations is committed to convincing all sides that no one side can win a military victory. Then, its officials say, the United Nations and others will help. But the Congolese themselves must simply get on with building a new political order.

Correspondent Charlayne Hunter-Gault and The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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