Uganda/Congo: Resurgence of Inter-Ethnic Violence

Uganda Must Rein in Congo Troops
(New York, August 23, 2000) -- In a letter to President Museveni of Uganda released today, Human Rights Watch condemned the resurgence of inter-ethnic violence in Ugandan-controlled areas in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The violence is occurring between opposing members of the Congolese Hema and Lendu tribes and civilian casualties are mounting. Recent disputes among the leaders of the Ugandan-backed rebel Congolese Rally for Democracy - Liberation Movement (RCD-ML) which claims nominal control over the area have triggered a mutiny of the military wing of the movement, and are exacerbating ethnic tensions in the region.

"The rebel factions now fighting the Congolese government and their Ugandan backers can and should put a stop to the civilian casualties in areas under their joint control," said Suliman Ali Baldo, senior researcher for Human Rights Watch.

Human Rights Watch strongly urged the Ugandan government and its local allies of the RCD-ML to issue clear instructions to their paramilitary forces to respect international humanitarian law, and punish violators. The international monitoring group also called for unrestricted access and safe passage for humanitarian agencies who are trying to assist victims displaced by war, and to stop the recruitment of child soldiers in the Congo.

A copy of the letter http://www.hrw.org/press/2000/08/drc-ltr0822.htm

For more information, please see:
Democratic Republic of Congo Eastern Congo Ravaged: Killing Civilians and Silencing Protest (May 2000)
http://www.hrw.org/reports/2000/drc/Drc005.htm#TopOfPage

Democratic Republic of Congo Casualties of War: Civilians, Rule of Law, and Democratic Freedoms (February 1999 http://www.hrw.org/reports/1999/congo/
Human Rights Watch (http://www.hrw.org/)