[allAfrica.com] [stanbic.com] Don't Ignore UN New Vision (Kampala) EDITORIAL December 4, 2004 Posted to the web December 6, 2004 Kampala THE Rwandan army has reportedly crossed into Congo to hunt down former Interhamwe. There has been some fighting in eastern Congo but it is still not clear who is behind it. The Kinshasa government says it is sending 10,000 troops to eastern Congo but the United Nations says it is still unclear whether Rwandan troops are in Congo. This is a complex situation. There can be no doubt that there are many genocidaires still in Congo. On the other hand Congo is a sovereign state trying to re-establish its authority. A unilateral invasion could create a regional flashpoint and undermine the fragile unity of Congo. Rwanda should consider the example of Iraq where the United States bypassed the United Nations to defend itself from a perceived threat from Saddam Hussein. The world and UN backed the overthrow of the Taliban of Afghanistan in 2002. Today Afghanistan is relatively stable and starting to tackle its deep-seated social and political problems. The United States invaded Iraq without the legitimacy provided by the UN backing and is consequently still embroiled in an increasingly bitter war with urban guerrillas. America is suffering in Iraq because it lacks UN backing. Rwanda should not now ignore the UN. Conversely the UN and the Congo government should not ignore the issue of the Interhamwe. If there are armed Rwandan rebel groups close to the border, they should be disarmed and moved away, or, if this is not possible, the Rwandan government should be given a limited mandate by Kinshasa and the UN to go and clear them out, just as Sudan gave permission to Uganda to pursue Kony across its borders.   =============================================================================   Copyright © 2004 New Vision. All rights reserved. Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com). =============================================================================