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Congo's Crisis at Breaking Point

EU, African Union scramble to broker peace deal as Nkunda attacks

By Jason Farago,  Newser Staff

Posted Nov 3, 2008 7:27 AM CST
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(Newser) – European and African officials held crisis talks last night to avert a complete meltdown in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where the civil war risks degenerating into genocide. The diplomatic push came as Laurent Nkunda, the Tutsi general, led 10,000 rebels into battle in a province bordering Rwanda, which supports him. Thousands of refugees have been displaced once again, and the UN called the humanitarian situation "catastrophic."

Refugees have been roaming the bush in eastern Congo, fleeing both Nkunda's rebels and the Congolese army, which has been raping and killing displaced citizens. The EU and African Union want to broker a peace deal between the presidents of Congo and Rwanda, which may help calm rebel activity in the border zone. British Foreign Secretary David Miliband this morning called a troop deployment "possible."

Rebels loyal to Laurent Nkunda's movement are seen in Rutshuru, some 50 miles north of Goma, eastern Congo, Sunday, Nov. 2, 2008.
Rebels loyal to Laurent Nkunda's movement are seen in Rutshuru, some 50 miles north of Goma, eastern Congo, Sunday, Nov. 2, 2008.   (AP Photo/Jerome Delay)
A displaced child returns to the ruins of a hut that was destroyed last week during fighting at a camp for displaced people which was evacuated Sunday, Nov. 2, 2008 in Kibumba, Congo.
A displaced child returns to the ruins of a hut that was destroyed last week during fighting at a camp for displaced people which was evacuated Sunday, Nov. 2, 2008 in Kibumba, Congo.   (AP Photo/Karel Prinsloo)
Children, seen inside a tent at a camp for displaced people, Sunday, Nov. 2, 2008 in Kibati just north of Goma in eastern Congo.
Children, seen inside a tent at a camp for displaced people, Sunday, Nov. 2, 2008 in Kibati just north of Goma in eastern Congo.   (AP Photo/Karel Prinsloo)
A woman stops to rest as thousands of displaced people walk along a road heading north of Goma, in a bid to return to their homes Sunday Nov. 2, 2008, near Kibumba, Congo.
A woman stops to rest as thousands of displaced people walk along a road heading north of Goma, in a bid to return to their homes Sunday Nov. 2, 2008, near Kibumba, Congo.   (AP Photo/Jerome Delay)
A child suffering from severe diarrhea waits for treatment at a clinic of the International Medical Corps in a displaced people's camp, Monday, Nov. 3, 2008 in Kibati north of Goma in eastern Congo.
A child suffering from severe diarrhea waits for treatment at a clinic of the International Medical Corps in a displaced people's camp, Monday, Nov. 3, 2008 in Kibati north of Goma in eastern Congo.   (AP Photo/Karel Prinsloo)
A man bring his children to a clinic of the International Medical Corps as others wait their turn in a displaced people's camp, Monday, Nov. 3, 2008 in Kibati north of Goma in eastern Congo.
A man bring his children to a clinic of the International Medical Corps as others wait their turn in a displaced people's camp, Monday, Nov. 3, 2008 in Kibati north of Goma in eastern Congo.   (AP Photo/Karel Prinsloo)
A woman waits for ink on her thumb to dry in an abandoned church after she was registered by Red Cross workers in a displaced people's camp, Monday, Nov. 3, 2008 in Kibati, north of Goma, Congo.
A woman waits for ink on her thumb to dry in an abandoned church after she was registered by Red Cross workers in a displaced people's camp, Monday, Nov. 3, 2008 in Kibati, north of Goma, Congo.   (AP Photo/Karel Prinsloo)
Rebels loyal to Laurent Nkunda's movement are seen in Tongo, some 62 miles north of Goma, in eastern Congo, Sunday, Nov. 2, 2008.
Rebels loyal to Laurent Nkunda's movement are seen in Tongo, some 62 miles north of Goma, in eastern Congo, Sunday, Nov. 2, 2008.   (AP Photo/Jerome Delay)
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David Miliband • civil war • Democratic Republic of Congo • humanitarian crisis • refugee • Rwanda • Tutsi • Laurent Nkunda

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