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UN Boss Jets to Congo Amid New Fighting

Fears of a wider conflict grow as rebel leader threatens to take Goma

By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff

Posted Nov 5, 2008 4:32 AM CST
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(Newser) – UN chief Ban Ki-Moon is traveling to the Democratic Republic of Congo to press for a peace deal just as new fighting breaks out, the Guardian reports. The Congolese government has rejected peace talks with the rebels, who have vowed to attack the provincial capital of Goma and continue a march across the nation. New fighting erupted between rebels led by Laurent Nkunda and Hutu militias, despite a week-old ceasefire.

"If they won't negotiate with us, then they leave us little choice," said a rebel spokesman. The warring parties have traded accusations that foreign forces are mobilizing to enter the conflict, the AP reports. The rebels say that Angola and Zimbabwe are ready to fight for the Congolese government, while the government has charged that Rwanda is backing the rebels.

Displaced Congolese people struggle to cope with the extreme weather of a rain storm in the Kibati camp north of Goma, eastern Congo, yesterday.
Displaced Congolese people struggle to cope with the extreme weather of a rain storm in the Kibati camp north of Goma, eastern Congo, yesterday.   (AP Photo/Jerome Delay)
An aid worker tries to get people to line up, prior to distributing high energy biscuits at a displaced people's camp, in Kibati, north of Goma, eastern Congo, yesterday.
An aid worker tries to get people to line up, prior to distributing high energy biscuits at a displaced people's camp, in Kibati, north of Goma, eastern Congo, yesterday.   (AP Photo/Karel Prinsloo)
Rebel leader Laurent Nkunda meets with advisers at his headquarters the north eastern town of Kitshoumba, Congo.
Rebel leader Laurent Nkunda meets with advisers at his headquarters the north eastern town of Kitshoumba, Congo.   (AP Photo)
United Nations peacekeepers patrol in territory held by Laurent Nkunda's rebel movement near Rutshuru, some 80 kilometers north of Goma in eastern Congo.
United Nations peacekeepers patrol in territory held by Laurent Nkunda's rebel movement near Rutshuru, some 80 kilometers north of Goma in eastern Congo.   (AP Photo/Jerome Delay)
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon addresses a press conference in Katmandu, Nepal, on Saturday.
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon addresses a press conference in Katmandu, Nepal, on Saturday.   (AP Photo/Binod Joshi)
Children plead with aid workers to get coupons that will allow them to receive high energy biscuits at a displaced people's camp, in Kibati, north of Goma, yesterday.
Children plead with aid workers to get coupons that will allow them to receive high energy biscuits at a displaced people's camp, in Kibati, north of Goma, yesterday.   (AP Photo/Karel Prinsloo)
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UN chief to broker Congo talks
AFP

Rebel leader's power expands
Los Angeles Times

Aid convoy finds refugee camps emptied
Reuters

 
United Nations • peacekeeping force • Democratic Republic of Congo • humanitarian crisis • Rwanda • Ban Ki-moon • Laurent Nkunda

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