Outraged mobs in Congo besiege UN compounds
Exasperated at the inaction of 10,000 UN peacekeepers during the capture of the eastern town of Bukavu by rebels, protesters turned on the UN.
At least two people were killed by UN troops when thousands of civilian rioters attacked the UN headquarters in Kinshasa. The mob rampaged through the streets, smashing vehicles and burning tyres.
Mobs also attacked UN offices in the central town of Kindu, the southern mining centre of Lubumbashi, and the northeastern city of Kisangani. The UN compound in Kindu was looted, and its personnel in Lubumbashi "had to pull out and seek refuge with government forces," Col Clive Mantell, the UN Military Chief of Staff, said.
Some protesters demanded the immediate resignation of William Swing, head of the UN mission accusing him of being complicit in the attacks on Bukavu.
Heavy fighting erupted on Wednesday as Congolese troops and rebel fighters battled for the centre of Bukavu. Brigadier-General Mbuza Mabe, the Government's military commander in the region, appears to have fled the city.
Civilians there face a humanitarian crisis with widespread rape, doctors unable to reach casualties and food aid looted.
President Kabila said that the UN had to do more. He accused neighbouring Rwanda of masterminding the attack. (© The Times, London).
- Michael Dynes
