UN Gives Congo Rebels 48-hour to Disarm
Local Editor
A UN statement issued on Tuesday gave M23 rebel forces near Goma in the Democratic Republic of Congo until 2pm (GMT) Thursday to disarm or face military action.
After then, "they will be considered an imminent threat of physical violence to civilians and [UN mission to Congo] MONUSCO will take all necessary measures to disarm them, including by the use of force in accordance with its mandate and rules of engagement".
The M23 launched a new offensive against the DR Congo army outside Goma on July 14.
"The M23 has used indiscriminate and indirect fire, including by heavy weapons, resulting in civilian casualties," MONUSCO said.
The new heavily armed 3,000-strong UN intervention brigade in eastern DR Congo is to carry out offensive operations, alone or with Congolese troops, against rebel fighters.
Source: France 24, edited by website team
Comments
- Related News