Submit this form
Home News Videos Music Photos Facebook Twitter Friends Newsletter Podcasts Mobile RSS
Protesters attack UN Congo office

BBC News - October 27, 2008


Hundreds of protesters are reportedly attacking the UN's headquarters in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.

A UN spokeswoman said that cars were being damaged and windows shattered in the regional capital, Goma.

The protesters are angry that a 17,000-strong UN force has not better protected them against an offensive by rebel forces.

Tens of thousands of people are said to be fleeing towards Goma as government troops retreat.

The rebel troops are loyal to renegade general, Laurent Nkunda.

Goma threat

UN spokeswoman Sylvie van den Wildenberg told Associated Press news agency protesters were throwing stones over the wall of the UN compound.

United Nations peacekeepers are now reportedly moving towards the area where fighting with the rebels is taking place.

Over the weekend the rebels, who say they are protecting the area's Tutsi minority, captured a major army camp at Rumangabo and the headquarters of Virunga national park.

A BBC reporter in eastern DR Congo says the main Kibumba camp for displaced people near Rumangabo has emptied, as people flee towards the city.

Gen Nkunda has threatened to take control of Goma.

The UN accused his soldiers of firing rockets at two UN vehicles on Sunday, injuring several troops.

A Nkunda spokesman denied the rebels were involved.

The UN told AP it was considering using helicopter gunships against the rebels in Rumangabo but that government troops were also in the area and could be hit.

Gen Nkunda's rebels attacked Goma last December. Hundreds of them died as the UN used helicopters under its mandate to protect civilians.

A peace deal was signed in Goma between the government and various rebel groups at the end of January.

Although he signed the deal, Gen Nkunda has always refused to disarm while Rwandan Hutu rebels still operate in the area.

About 200,000 people fled their homes after fighting resumed in the area in late August.

The United Nations says many refugees are malnourished and some are dying of hunger.


Related articles


  1. Congo Will Not Sign a 'Peace Deal' With Defeated M23 Rebels, Government Says (November 6, 2013)
  2. Kabila Congratulates Congo Army for Defeating M23 Rebels (October 30, 2013)
  3. Advancing Congo Troops Take Control of Rumangabo From M23 Rebels (October 28, 2013)
  4. Congo Army Liberates Rutshuru, Kiwanja and Kibumba From M23 Rebels (October 27, 2013)
  5. Congo Army Dislodges M23 Rebels From Strategic Town of Kibumba (October 26, 2013)
  6. Congo Army Takes Control of Kibumba After Fighting With M23 Rebels Resumes (October 25, 2013)
  7. Mortar Shells From Rwanda Kill Civilians in Eastern Congo (August 23, 2013)
  8. Dozens of M23 Rebels Killed by Congo Army in Renewed Fighting (August 22, 2013)
  9. DR Congo Asks Rwanda to Turn Over M23 Rebel Leaders (July 26, 2013)
  10. M23 Rebels Said to Flee Rumangabo After Congo Army Airstrikes (July 25, 2013)
  11. Congo Army Strikes M23 Rebels Base At Rumangabo (July 24, 2013)
  12. M23 Rebels Kill, Rape Civilians in Eastern Congo: Human Rights Watch (July 22, 2013)
  13. Thousands of Women March Against M23 Rebels in Kinshasa (November 24, 2012)
  14. DR Congo Will Not Negotiate With M23 Rebels, Government Says (November 19, 2012)
  15. DR Congo Officials Vow to Defend Goma Against M23 Rebels (November 19, 2012)
  16. DR Congo, Rwanda Sign Pact to Fight Rebels in Eastern Congo (July 15, 2012)
  17. Kagame Is A Problem for The U.S. and The U.K. (June 23, 2012)
  18. UN Report Accuses Rwanda of Supporting Bosco Ntaganda Rebels (May 28, 2012)
  19. Kabila, Army Chief of Staff head to eastern Congo to deal with defectors (April 10, 2012)
  20. DR Congo Government Warns Bosco Ntaganda He May Face Justice (April 6, 2012)
  21. Tshisekedi Says He Won, Can He Prove It? (December 17, 2011)
  22. Kabila Confident He Will Win Re-Election (October 18, 2011)
  23. Security Council extends mandate of UN mission in DR Congo (June 28, 2011)
  24. Rights Groups: Strengthen Civilian Protection Before Elections (June 9, 2011)
  25. UN Sanctions FDLR Leaders, CNDP Rebel Commander Integrated into Army (December 2, 2010)
  26. UN launches patrols to head off rebel violence during holiday season (December 1, 2010)
  27. UN Report: CNDP, Congolese Soldiers Involved in Illegal Mining Operations (November 30, 2010)
  28. Congo Defense Minister Rejects UN Allegations against Army (October 17, 2010)
  29. Rebel leader presumed responsible for mass rape arrested (October 5, 2010)
  30. UN DR Congo Report Exposes Grave Crimes (October 1, 2010)


Live TV Congo Radio en ligne Radio
Available on App Store
Get it on Google Play



Contact Us | About Us | Édition en Français | French Edition

© CongoPlanet.com. All rights reserved.