EU@UN - Statement by EU HR Ashton on the situation in North Kivu

http://www.eu-un.europa.eu/articles/en/article_13890_en.htm

Statement by EU HR Ashton on the situation in North Kivu

Summary: 30 August 2013, Brussels - The High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice President of the Commission issued the following statement today on the situation in North Kivu:

"I would like to express my strong concerns regarding the escalation of violence in the Goma region and on the border with Rwanda. I deplore the death of a Tanzanian U! peacekeeper and the injuries resulting from fighting with M23 on Congolese territory, and at the same time the civilian victims of shells which landed on the Rwandan city of Gisenyi. I call for an independent investigation by the joint verification mechanism, to determine the origin of shells falling on Rwandese territory.

I offer my sincere condolences to the family of the late Tanzanian peacekeeper, as well as to the Tanzanian authorities. I express my full support to the initiatives of Special Representative of the UN Secretary General Martin Kobler and MONUSCO.

I firmly condemn repeated M23 attacks against both MONUSCO and the civilian population, as well as any attempt to internationalise the conflict. Any direct intervention by DRC's neighbouring countries can only exacerbate the situation.

I call on all concerned parties for restraint, the respect of territorial integrity and the search for a political solution in full accordance with the national and regional commitments contained in the Peace, Security and Cooperation Framework for the DRC and the region.

A high-level mission composed of the UNSG Special Envoy, the African Union Special Representative, the US Special Envoy and the EU Senior Coordinator for the Great Lakes region, will travel to the region in the coming days."

• Ref: EU13-406EN
• EU source: European Union
• UN forum: 
• Date: 30/8/2013

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Arms Embargo on Rwanda is of Paramount Necessity « Analysis « The Proxy Lake

http://www.theproxylake.com/2013/09/arms-embargo-on-rwanda-is-of-paramount-necessity/

Arms Embargo on Rwanda is of Paramount Necessity

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Mandatory United Nations Security Council arms embargo on Rwanda is of paramount necessity.

By Charles KAMBANDA

A general and complete UNSC arms embargo on all deliveries of weapons and military equipment to Rwanda is the ideal remedy to save millions of innocent civilians in Rwanda, DRC and Rwandan's neighboring countries. A mandatory arms embargo on Rwanda is the only viable alternative to coerce Rwanda to change its behavior in the interest of international peace, security and deter General Paul Kagame's acts of aggression on Congo.

First, Rwanda has terrorized Congo for close to two decades. The United Nations Mapping report confirmed that Paul Kagame and his army have committed horrific war crimes, crimes against humanity and possibly genocide in Congo ( Kagame killed a record 6 million people in Congo). Paul Kagame trains, arms and commands M23 "rebels" in Congo. General Kagame through his M23 "rebels" has caused unimaginable suffering and horrible death of civilians – the worst tragedy ever – in Africa.

Second, General Paul Kagame announced his intention and military capacity to destabilize Tanzania – an icon and "island" of stability and peace in an otherwise volatile region characterized by civil and/or ethnic wars and crimes of international concern. It is alleged that Gen. Kagame deployed about 300 well trained and equipped assassins to Tanzania for the sole purpose of destabilizing and terrorizing Tanzania. Kagame has promised to "hit" (assassinate) President Kikwete of Tanzania. This threat is real; Kagame has so far assassinated four sitting Presidents ( Ndadaye of Burundi ( R.I.P), President Kabila Desire of Congo (R.I.P) , President Habyarimana of Rwanda (R.I.P) and President Ntaryamira of Burundi (R.I.P).

Third, Kagame had assassinated innumerable Rwandan refugees in Uganda, Kenya, Congo, Tanzania, Burundi, Mozambique, Zambia, and South Africa among other African nations. The United Kingdom and Swedish police issued warnings over threats of Kagame's assassins to the Rwandan refugees living in United Kingdom and Sweden. A South African Court is trying an "attempted murder" case of a former Rwandan Military General who fled Kagame's government. All the suspects are Rwanda's military operatives.

Four, Kagame's army is fighting, injuring and killing UN Peacekeepers in North Kivu.

There is compelling evidence that Rwanda under General Paul Kagame poses very serious threat to international peace. Rwanda has breached international peace and Rwanda has committed acts of aggression against a sovereign nation, DRC. The United Nations Security council should impose general and complete mandatory arms embargo on Rwanda under Chapter V11 Article 41 of the United Nations Charter.

Professor Charles KAMBANDA, Dip.Phil., BA., LLB., MA.ETPM., MBA., MA.HRTs., LLM, PhD is a Public Policy Analyst and International Human Rights Lawyer and law professor at St. John's University Law School, LLM Center, New York, US. Professor Kambanda, a former member of Kagame's ruling Rwandan Patriotic Front party, is also involved in research on Rwanda's ongoing social and political conflict. He can be reached at kambacha@yahoo.com