David Miliband

Foreign Secretary

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Monday 05 January, 2009

Congo: Grounds for some optimism

With 35 REPORTED rapes a day in the Kivus alone (and therefore only a glimpse into the randomised and mass sexual violence), it's hardly possible to talk about good news. But an end of year report from the Ambassador in Kinshasa did get my attention. Amongst other things, Rwanda-DRC relations are improving, ex President Obasanjo is giving strong African Union leadership to dispute resolution and the implementation of the Nairobi and Goma accords, there is more openness to addressing the support mechanisms for various militias, and the cease fire is holding. The UK has put a lot of attention on DRC over the last six months, and that will continue. The pressure needs to be kept up.

Posted at 10:58 05 January 2009 by David Miliband  |  Comments[1]

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what planet are you living on? There is nothing about the Congo situation that shows any glimmer of 'hope'. The Monuc troops are as useful as the UN peace keepers were in the Balkans, they are incapable of prevention, intervention or direct involvement. The deaths, mutilations, rapes and displacement of the people continues whilst the UN, Europe and the USA have 'dialogues'. Words are not actions. Perhaps you should talk directly to the BBC's Mark Doyle who has been there and will tell you what life is like and how the UN, Europe and the USA's 'dialogues' have improved the situation.

Posted by Mia Ting Ting on January 06, 2009 at 12:22 PM GMT #

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