Head of Euro force arrives
2003-06-10 11:17
Kampala - A French general has arrived in Uganda to lead the European emergency force in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) as the first troops were due to be sent into the battle-ravaged town of Bunia, a spokesperson said on Tuesday.
"General Jean-Paul Thonier arrived last (Monday) night and will make an informal visit to Bunia during the day to inspect the location and soldiers there," Solano told AFP by telephone.
Solano said a first batch of 130 French ground troops flew out of Entebbe airport on their way to Bunia shortly before 09:00.
"We shall make six flights from Entebbe to Bunia today (Tuesday) to transport soldiers, arms, ammunition and all other required logistical supplies, including vehicle," Solana said.
The force is mandated by the United Nations and European Union (EU) to secure and protect the flashpoint town of Bunia.
Advance teams went in last week to secure the airport and prepare for the arrival of the 1 400-strong force.
About 700 French soldiers including some 60 Canadians, mainly logistical experts, were already in neighbouring Uganda for the mission.
Hundreds of people have been killed in DRC's northeast Ituri region in the past months after Uganda withdrew thousands of its troops as part of DRC's peace process, leaving a dangerous security vacuum.
A long-running feud between the Hema and Lendu ethnic groups in Ituri became even more deadly with the onset of the DRC's wider war in 1998, when weapons flooded the country.
Inter-ethnic violence in the region has claimed some 50 000 lives and displaced an estimated 500 000 others since 1999.
- Sapa-AFP
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- SAPA