U.N.-Backed Congolese Troops Accused of Rape

Posted on Oct 15, 2010

AP / Schalk van Zuydam

Congolese troops approach an army hospital in a village in the Walikale area in September.

Rebel militias in the Democratic Republic of the Congo carried out mass rapes in the eastern part of the country in July and August. Now U.N.-backed Congolese “peacekeeping” troops are being accused of murdering and raping villagers in the same area. So ... who are the good guys, again?

The Guardian:

UN-backed Congolese troops have been accused of murdering and raping villagers and looting homes in the area in which rebel militias carried out mass rapes two months ago.

Margot Wallstrom, the UN envoy on sexual violence in conflict, told the security council yesterday that UN peacekeepers had received reports of serious abuses by Congolese government soldiers.

In August, details emerged of the mass rape of more than 300 women, several men and children in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.

The UN – which had a base 20 miles from the scene of the attacks – admitted failing to protect the victims.

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