United States Continues Support for U.N. Peacekeeping in Congo

[ILJ_Digest]

Violence has broken out in Congo as forces loyal to former Congolese General Laurent Nkunda launch attacks on government troops. These rebel forces are believed to be preparing a strike on the city of Goma. Only ten months ago, rebel groups met in Goma to sign a peace agreement. As a result of the rising violence, almost*45,000 refugees have fled to a U.N. refugee camp outside of the city. The*U.N. is attempting to prevent forthcoming raids by deploying attack helicopters to the region.
Spokesman for the U.S.*State Department, Sean McCormack, has stressed the United States’ support of U.N. peacekeeping efforts, and McCormack has urged Mr. Nkunda to resume talks with the DRC government. In a statement made on October 28, McCormack said,*“The U.S. calls on all parties to the Goma Agreements and the Nairobi Communiqué to respect their commitments and renounce the use of arms.”
The United States has been a long-time supporter of the U.N.’s peacekeeping mission in Congo. *Since 1998, the U.S. has delivered over $220 million in emergency aid to victims of the conflict, and has also played a role in efforts to enhance stability in Congo and surrounding regions.
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