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Rwandan troops leave Congo, stoking reprisal fears
Wed Feb 25, 2009 1:09pm EST
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By John Kanyunyu
GOMA, Congo (Reuters) - Rwandan troops began withdrawing from Congo on Wednesday, stoking fears that Rwandan Hutu rebels will step up reprisals against civilians and retake ground they lost during a month-long offensive against them.
Rwanda sent thousands of troops into Congo's North Kivu province last month and the former enemies have been conducting joint operations against Rwandan Hutu rebels who are seen as a root cause of 15 years of conflict in the region.
Officials have said all Rwandan troops are due to leave in the next few days, following intense pressure on Congo's President Joseph Kabila from domestic critics who note that previous Rwandan forays into Congo during two recent wars were marked by alleged abuse and looting of natural resources.
The operation has seen the most concerted pressure on the rebels in years but diplomats question whether it will end years of violence. Thousands of rebels remain in the bush, farming, mining and living off local villagers.
Hundreds of soldiers crossed the border in the eastern Congolese town of Goma, most marching on foot, others riding on military trucks, to be greeted by cheering crowds in Rwanda.
The pullout has prompted fears within the United Nations' biggest peacekeeping force that the mainly Hutu Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) rebels, who have mostly avoided clashes with the joint force, will seek revenge.
"The planned pullout of (Rwandan) troops raises concerns about the protection of the civilian population, given the limited capacity and professionalism of (Congolese) troops," read an internal U.N. memorandum, which was seen by Reuters.
"Although the FDLR has mostly vacated the areas upon the arrival of the joint forces, it is likely that they are waiting in the bush for the forces to retreat and then come back to retaliate on civilians perceived as being traitors," it said.
The U.N. is investigating numerous attacks on civilians blamed on the FDLR. New York-based Human Rights Watch says the rebels have massacred more than 100 civilians accused of betraying them since the start of the operations on January 20.
The operation has marked a significant improvement in relations between Congo and Rwanda, who have fought two wars during the last 15 years, in part due to the Hutu rebels.
"(The operation) has certainly had an effect. The FDLR have taken a knock. Whether it is the end of the FDLR? I doubt it," said one diplomat who has followed the operations.
BROADENING THE OFFENSIVE
The U.N.'s stretched mission has been accused of failing to do enough to prevent attacks on civilians during the operations.
Congo and Rwanda, who have long blamed the U.N. for failing to tackle the rebels as well, declared the operation a success.
The Congolese commander of the offensive, General John Numbi, on Wednesday raised the toll of FDLR killed to 153 and said that the operation had forced 140 more to surrender. Continued...
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