UN approves of drone use in Congo conflict

The United Nations wants to use drones for the first time to monitor fighting in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, where Rwanda has been accused of aiding rebels, officials said yesterday.

Peacekeeping chiefs have been in contact with the governments of DR Congo and of Rwanda about the sensitive move, which could set a precedent that would worry other United Nations members, diplomats said.

UN leaders are looking for ways to strengthen their peacekeeping mission in DR Congo, MONUSCO,

Fighting armed rebels in DR Congo: UN launches airstrike

 The UN mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) conducted an air strike on the rebel group M23 Friday as fighting between rebels and the army have taken so bloody Thursday , according to a local official.

The regional governor, Julien Paluku said that the Congolese army had collapsed Kibumba, in the east, while thousands of Rwandan combatants, supporting the rebels, led an assault early in the morning Saturday.According to him, the mission of the United Nations Organisation (UNO) known as MONUSCO responded to using helicopters to carry out an attack on the rebel M23 Kibumba.

Two army officers and 151 rebels were killed Thursday during heavy fighting in Rugari, 30 km from Goma, the capital of the region. The UN stated that these were the worst violence occurring in the DRC since July.

The situation is tense in the region with the appearance in March-April March-23 Movement (M23), which includes former auxiliaries of the Congolese army in the east and Kinshasa suspected of be supported by Rwanda.

The situation in eastern Congo skids.

While all eyes are focused on Syria and Mali, this is the situation in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) slipping badly. Taking Kibulba 30 km from Goma rebels M23 sounded the alarm. Developed an emergency meeting of the Security Council of the United Nations was convened on Saturday afternoon at 15h (AM New York, 21h Brussels), at the request of France. Reinforcements have arrived in Rwanda according to the spokesman of the Civil Society of North Kivu, Omar Kavotha, cited by Radio Okapi: "We have learned that more than three trucks Mercedes Benz, full of Rwandan elements, crossed Again the border last Friday between 14 and 15 hours, through Ndjerima in Rubavu district therefore Rwanda. And these elements have strengthened again the positions of M23. But the night from Friday to Saturday, other Rwandan elements were added, "said Omar Kavhota.

France requested the convening of the Security Council

The Foreign Minister, Laurent Fabius, confirmed a few minutes ago calling it "has the immediate cessation of fighting, the protection of civilians and all humanitarian actors." "France is extremely concerned about the resumption and intensification of fighting between the Congolese regular army troops to the M23, which could result in a new humanitarian crisis," he added. "It calls upon all countries of the region to refrain from any interference in the internal affairs of the DRC," said the statement issued by the Quai d'Orsay without designating Rwanda.

Belgium asked to act in Rwanda

The Belgian Foreign Minister Didier Reynders, was more direct, saying that "the territorial integrity of the DRC must be respected and that the Congolese authorities must restore order throughout their territory. For this, no support can be given to rebels fighting the Congolese armed forces and every effort should be made to put an end to this rebellion, as peacefully as possible, to preserve the local people who have only suffered too much. "And ask the Minister" in Rwanda, which is affected by this situation, especially because of the potential impact of this instability on its territory (...) to use its influence to contribute positively to the end as fast as possible for this situation of conflict. " Belgium requests MONUSCO to act more firmly and "make every effort to ensure the best possible protection of civilians and the return to calm, support and cooperation with the Congolese Armed Forces."