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| East/Subsaharan Africa | |
| French Extend Gun Deadline in Congo’s Bunia | |
| 2003-06-24 | |
| French commanders extended by 24 hours a deadline for gunmen to leave the Congolese town of Bunia that had been due to expire on Tuesday, saying more talks were needed with militia. An international mission sent to protect residents in Bunia from tribal bloodshed had initially given a 72-hour ultimatum to end "visible armed presence" in the town. That deadline was supposed to expire before midday. "The ultimatum was pushed back by 24 hours so that everything can be well understood," Colonel Gerard Dubois, spokesman for the mainly-French force, told reporters. What part of "no packing heat" don't they understand? "It's preferable to be absolutely clear before declaring a "Bunia free from arms" than to deal with misunderstandings and incidents later," he said. Ah, the French. Set a deadline and retreat. Dubois said the force had decided to extend the deadline after talks held before midday on Tuesday with the Union of Congolese Patriots (UPC), whose gunmen are based in the ramshackle mining and farming town. Some UPC fighters were visible in at least one camp in town, with more outside their headquarters, where the force is allowing them to retain an unspecified number as bodyguards. "It's a very dangerous place, that's why we need several hundred bodyguards." Dubois declined to say precisely what issues remained to be resolved at talks with the Hema-affiliated UPC, and declined to give a precise time for the extended deadline to expire. It is expected to end at roughly midday on Wednesday. I see a great career for him in the UN. UPC leader Thomas Lubanga was not immediately available for comment. Having lunch, lots of fresh meat just arrived.
Really, now who would have thought? The French-led mission is due to be replaced by a reinforced U.N. troop presence in Bunia as its mandate ends on September 1. A spokesman for the force said it sent patrols backed by light tanks to guard the town on Tuesday after receiving unconfirmed reports of an attempt to infiltrate the town by Lendu attackers. He said the patrol found no attackers. Was a Capt Blix leading the patrol? The spokesman said a French soldier fired a warning shot at three militiamen, before disarming them, then returning their weapons when they were found to be members of the UPC. UPC being the officially approved armed thugs. | |
| Posted by:Steve |