Reforming the Congolese Military

The June 25 news story "Fresh Nightmares in Congo's Drive Against Rwandans" highlighted dilemmas facing the U.N. peacekeeping mission in the Congo, known as MONUC, in the face of widespread violence.

Our own peacekeepers' observations underscore the risks inherent in any attempt to end the violence that has bedeviled Africa's Great Lakes region for more than a decade. The reprisal raids by the Hutu rebels of the FDLR have understandably created a lot of concern. But doing nothing is not a recipe for lasting peace either. Time and again the FDLR and other armed groups in eastern Congo have unleashed violence in the country and provoked conflict with neighboring states. Women and children have been the principal victims.

This is why the international community has long urged the Congolese government to take action against the FDLR and why in March the government reached agreement to integrate some 20 Congolese armed groups into the national armed forces.

For its part, MONUC, as mandated by the U.N. Security Council, will continue to focus on protecting civilians. We shall assess and adjust our support for joint operations with the Congo's military forces to ensure that such operations are conducted in accordance with international humanitarian law.

MONUC is pressing government and military leaders to act against abusers and to set up effective screening procedures for all military personnel. Already, several commanders have been removed. Ensuring regular payments to troops, improving logistics and constructing barracks would greatly improve the situation.

Coordinated international support for army reform is urgently needed as part of the broader effort to build security forces that protect, and do not prey on, the people of Congo.

ALAN DOSS

Special Representative of the Secretary-General

for the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Kinshasa,

Democratic Republic of the Congo