United Nations, July 10: The United States has agreed to increase the number of peacekeepers in Congo by 2,100 to 10,800 to replace the French-led force in northeastern Congo and give it a robust mandate to prevent fighting among rival groups, Security Council diplomats say. The Americans, who had earlier insisted that the number be capped at 8,700, came to the conclusion that more peacekeepers would be needed to maintain peace and help in the installation of a transitional government as President Bush toured Africa and had discussions with regional leaders.
The government is expected to have power sharing arrangement with the rebels. The council is expected to vote within days on the resolution to give effect to the decision and bring the number much closer to 10,800 sought by secretary-general Kofi Annan.
About 1,400 French peacekeepers with robust mandate are now deployed in Bunia in the Ituri region where hundreds of people have died and mutilated and women raped in the tribal conflict. But Annan has recommended that about 4000 peacekeepers be deployed in Bunia and the rest to other areas.
The trouble began in the Congo when Uganda and Rwanda sent troops in 1988 to back rebels trying to overthrow Laurent Kabila's government and Zimbabwe, Angola and Namibia sent forces to prop up the regime.
The foreign troops have now been withdrawn following a ceasefire agreement but trouble continues in northeast region, which is rich in natural resources. Bureau Report