Actualité - UN accused of participating in Congo massacre

Franc-Parler publie un article du journal indépendant canadien The Dominion rapportant l'implication de casques bleus de l'ONU dans des massacres de civil en République démocratique du Congo (RDC). La RDC est victime d'une guerre civile dans laquelle plusieurs autres pays frontaliers dont l'Ouganda et le Rwanda interviennent militairement.

The UN peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo is investigating reports that UN soldiers colluded in the massacre of civilians and the destruction of a village during a joint operation with the Congolese army, Reuters reports.

The assault was intended to dislodge Walendu ethnic militias from the Front de Resistance Patriotique en Ituri (FRPI) before Congo's first democratic elections on July 30.

According to an article in the Observer, UN soldiers opened fire using mortars and heavy machineguns when women and children were present and gave no warning of their attack.

Later, as UN troops watched, the Congolese army torched the village.

Survivors say that up to 30 civilians were killed during and after the initial UN mortar barrage, reports Alternet

The attack occurred on April 21st and the UN was informed of the attack by a journalist on April 30. The investigation was not announced until after the Observer article appeared two months later.

Canadians are among the UN troops in the Congo.

(The Dominion - Hillary Bain Lindsay)