UN troops on 'high alert' in DR Congo after deadly clash

UN troops on 'high alert' in DR Congo after deadly clash
By AFP | Saturday, November 17  2012 at  14:00 *  19  24  43
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Indian soldiers of the United Nations mission in Democratic Republic of Congo sit on the top of tanks at a military post in Kibati, some 10 km from Goma, and some 15 km from the frontline on August 13, 2012. The UN mission in DR Congo, known as MONUSCO, has some 17,000 troops, deployed mainly in the east, to protect local residents.   PHOTO | AFP
The United Nations on Friday put its peacekeepers on "high alert" in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo as UN leader Ban Ki-moon again condemned outside help to rebels battling the government there.
Rapid reaction units among UN peacekeepers were moved to key areas around the provincial capital of Goma after battles between M23 rebels and government troops on Thursday reportedly left a large number of casualties.
UN spokesman Martin Nesirky said that "quick reaction teams" had been sent to the Kivu provincial capital Goma and the city's airport following the latest clashes.
He added that peacekeepers in the UN mission, officially known as MONUSCO, had been put on "high alert" with attack helicopters also on standby.
Government troops held off an M23 rebels attack on Thursday at Kibumba, about 25 kilometers (15 miles) northeast of Goma, officials said.
"Unconfirmed reports indicate that the M23 sustained a high number of casualties in the clash," said Mr Nesirky.
An M23 spokesman denied government claims that more than 110 rebels were killed in the battle.
The UN sent the rapid reaction forces to a district between Kibumba and Goma while forces in the provincial capital were added to the "high alert" status in case of attacks on civilians.
The fighting was the most serious in the rebellion since July when the UN's attack helicopters were last put into action against M23.
Long-term threat
The M23 group broke away from the national army in April and UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said in a report made public Friday that the rebels now pose a long term threat to the government.
"Reprisal attacks on civilians are intensifying, fuelling cycles of hatred and violence among different communities," Mr Ban said in the report.
UN experts have said Rwanda and Uganda back the rebels, bringing strong denials from the neighbouring governments.
The UN sanctions committee for DR Congo this week ordered a travel ban and assets freeze against M23 leader Sultani Makenga, a former army colonel. The US government has also ordered sanctions.
Diplomats said that other sanctions could follow. The sanctions experts this week called for Rwanda's defense minister, General James Kabarebe, to be added to the blacklist, diplomats said.
The 15-member Security Council is unlikely to agree to the move, the diplomats said, while other M23 figures would be sanctioned.
Without naming any countries, the UN leader again condemned help from other countries given to the M23 in his new report.
Mr Ban said he was "disturbed by continuing reports of external support to the M23.
"I welcome the strong condemnation by a number of member states of all forms of support to the M23 and other negative forces in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and call on all those responsible to immediately and permanently end this destabilizing assistance."
He said DR Congo's sovereignty had to be "fully respected" by neighbouring countries.
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