By Matthew Russell Lee
UNITED NATIONS, April 15 -- After Rwanda's debate on prevention of conflicts in Africa in the UN Security Council on Monday, Inner City Press asked Foreign Minister Louise Mushikiwabo about the conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
As the UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations under Herve Ladsous rushes in its so called “intervention brigade,” and a drone, the M23 rebels who took and then relinquished Goma for negotiations which have led nowhere had issued open letters to the parliaments of the troop contributing countries.
What does Rwanda think the focus of the new “intervention brigade” should be? To “eliminate the M23 as a military AND POLITICAL force,” as some DRC officials say? To hunt down the FDLR?
Mushikiwabo answered that there is no military solution to the problems of Eastern Congo, of the Congo generally. The brigade could be a deterrent, but it must be complimented by political work.
But can a drone do politics? Can Ladsous? As it happens, Ladsous during the 1994 Rwanda genocide was arguing for the safe retreat of the genocidaires into Eastern Congo, click here for Inner City Press' April 13 story.
With this history, should Ladsous led UN Peacekeeping? Can he prevent conflict, or be impartial? Watch this site.
Footnote: Inner City Press also asked Mushikiwabo about the International Criminal Court, reference to which was not included in the day's Security Council Presidential Statement. Mushikiwabo called the ICC “skewed,” and said the time for Africa to be subject to “finger wagging from the West” is over.
