[I find South Africa’s peacekeeping efforts in Africa quite entertaining. I think one would be hard-pressed to find a single one of the many peace deals brokered by the ANC which has survived in the last 10 years. Blacks just can’t stop killing each other. And here we see them attacking UN and South African peace-keeping forces. Jan]

Johannesburg – Over the past few days a company of UN soldiers in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), supported by a motorised South African platoon, has suffered an onslaught from militia while trying to disarm these forces.

According to military sources in the area, Beeld can reveal that an offensive has been launched over the past couple of days by a total of 850 United Nations peace-keeping soldiers.

The battalion, comprising soldiers from Bangladesh, Morocco and Pakistan as well as helicopters from India, formed a cordon around the small towns of Bolonzabo and Khodeza.

Although numerous weapons and parts of uniforms were confiscated during the operation, it was considerably fewer than in earlier operations.

The operation is part of an attempt by Monuc, the UN’s mission in the DRC, to limit ethnic violence in the area through disarmament.

Beeld has learned that although the deadline for rebels and militia to report for disarmament expired at the end of March, hundreds of weapons are stilled handed in daily.

The UN said in a statement that an estimated 15 000 of these forces have already reported for disarmament and demilitarisation.

At present, the South African soldiers’ main force from 5 SA Infantry Battalion (Ladysmith) and a company from 12 SA Infantry Battalion (Potchefstroom) are part of Monuc’s rapid-deployment force in this area devastated by violence.

According to the UN’s Fred Eckhard, the peace-keeping soldiers were fired upon during the recently completed operation and they returned the fire, but no casualties were suffered.

There is no record of casualties on the side of the militias.

It is understood that the operation was partially aimed at determining whether the disarmament process has been successful, a matter that has been substantiated by the small number of weapons found.

The other objective was to send a clear message to those who still refuse to disarm that they will be hunted down mercilessly by the UN, Eckhard said.

Although those still handing in weapons at present – after expiry of the deadline – are not being arrested, this area is soon to be declared a weapons-free area.

This means that only peace-keeping soldiers and the DRC’s official defence force will be allowed to carry weapons.

Anyone else carrying a weapon will be summarily arrested.

Source: News24.Com
URL: http://www.news24.com/News24/South_Africa/New…/p>