AFRICA/DEMOCRATIC CONGO - Tension in the eastern Congo city of Bukavu rises as rumours circulate that popular military commander may be replaced

Bukavu (Fides Service)- Rumours that the popular military commander of the 10th military region Mbuza Mabe may be dismissed, are giving rise to apprehension in Bukavu, in eastern Democratic Congo, local sources told Fides. Bukavu is in South Kivu where tension is already high since MONUC UN mission troops confirmed the presence Rwandan soldiers in the area. “At this stage if the dismissal of the commander of the 10th Military, a man who is popular with the people, is confirmed, it could trigger a series of consequences and enflame hearts even more” the sources told Fides. “A demonstration to protest against the possible removal of general Mbuza Mabe is planned for this afternoon” the sources added.
The situation in both north and south Kivu is confused. “There are reports of shooting around Goma but who is involved, forces or ethnic groups, no one knows” the sources told Fides. Goma is the stronghold of the RDC Union Congolese for Democracy, the main group of Congolese rebels backed by Rwanda.
Yesterday, 2 December in an address to the nation on national radio and television the president of Congo Joseph Kabila said “Rwandan aggression against our country is a challenge which touches all that we hold most dear and we will never give in: it is a question of Congo’s national sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity”. The President urged all citizens to be “united to face this new threat against our interim institutions and the very existence of our nation”.
Also yesterday the United Nations Security Council held a meeting to discuss possible risk of more fighting in the Great Lakes Region of Africa. UN Secretary General Kofi Annan voiced concern for growing tension between Congo and Rwanda and, according to his spokesman, “called on the government of Rwandan to desist from all military action in Congo”. Rwanda for its part has assured the African Union that in event of an armed intervention it would not attack members of the Congolese army only Hutu rebels hiding in Congo. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 3/12/2004 righe 33 parole 410)