Tanzania offers troops for eastern Congo

2012-09-09 14:16

M23 militia men in DRC. (AP)

Kampala - Tanzania has offered to contribute troops toward a proposed "neutral international force" for eastern Congo, which has been wracked by violence since a group of soldiers staged a mutiny and then engaged Congolese troops in serious battles that displaced thousands of villagers.

Tanzania's offer was announced at the end of a meeting of regional leaders trying to find an amicable solution to a diplomatic crisis in which Congo accuses Rwanda of supporting the M23 rebellion.

Officials said the negotiations were sometimes tense, with Congo insisting Uganda and Rwanda cannot contribute to the proposed force.

The officials requested anonymity because of the issue's sensitivity.

Only Angola, Congo, Tanzania and Kenya will contribute to this force, according to a communiqué released on Saturday. It remains unclear when the force will actually be deployed.

- SAPA