As reported by the BBC, UN peacekeeping troups have been providing arms to militia’s and smuggling ivory and gold in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
But an 18-month BBC investigation for Panorama has found evidence that:
– Pakistani peacekeepers in the eastern town of Mongbwalu were involved in the illegal trade in gold with the FNI militia, providing them with weapons to guard the perimeter of the mines
– Indian peacekeepers operating around the town of Goma had direct dealings with the militia responsible for the Rwandan genocide, now living in eastern DR Congo
– The Indians traded gold, bought drugs from the militias and flew a UN helicopter into the Virunga National Park, where they exchanged ammunition for ivory
The UN’s own 2007 investigation revealed…
It concluded that one officer had been responsible for dealing in gold – allowing traders to use UN aircraft to fly into the town, putting them up at the UN base and taking them around the town.
But the UN decided that “in the absence of corroborative evidence” its investigators “could not substantiate the allegation” that Pakistani peacekeepers supplied weapons or ammunition to the militia.
However, the BBC’s continuing investigation uncovered…
But returning to eastern DR Congo, the BBC spoke to several residents of the mining town of Mongbwalu, who said they had seen the FNI re-armed.
One former militant told our correspondent he had witnessed seven boxes of ammunition being brought from the UN camp to re-supply the FNI during a critical fire-fight.
Two FNI leaders known as “Kung-fu” and “Dragon”, who have been jailed in the capital, Kinshasa, have stated publicly that they received help from the UN.
and
The BBC managed to get into the maximum security jail and both confirmed this.
Kung Fu, whose real name is General Mateso Ninga, said: “Yes, it’s true, they did give us arms. They said it was for the security of the country. So they said to us that we would help them take care of the zone.”
and the UN denies…
Mr Doss dismissed the allegations of the militia leaders who said they had received weapons from UN troops based in the country.
“Militia leaders are militia leaders. They always have their interests,” he said. “All I can say is that this investigation didn’t confirm that.”
So who do you believe, the BBC or the UN? Although I’m no great fan, my vote goes to the BBC.
