29 October 2008 - 20H00
Going to war in the Democratic Republic of Congo?
Violence is surging again in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where rebel forces neared the eastern city of Goma Wednesday. With the UN reluctant to send extra troops, are we heading for a full-fledged war or is a negotiated solution still possible?
Click here to watch Part 2 of our Debate.
Neither elections nor peace agreements have managed to prevent violence from spreading in the war torn, eastern regions of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Now, it's feared that fighting between the Congolese army, foreign troops and various militias could turn into widespread massacres affecting the entire African region.
Thousands of civilians alongside hundreds of Congolese soldiers have sought refuge in the provincial capital of Goma, after fleeing an advance by troops loyal to Tutsi General Laurent Nkunda. Angry civilians in Goma proceeded to throw stones at UN workers being evacuated, blaming them for failing to curb the increasing violence. Though UN envoys in the region have pressed for more troops, so far it seems none will be sent.
So, could the UN be failing again to prevent massacres, or even genocide in this troubled region of Africa? We'll also be asking exactly which forces are at play in this conflict, and whether a negotiated solution is possible.
Andrea Sanke's guests are:
Philippe Ryfman, an attorney and Professor of International Relations at Paris 1, Panthéon Sorbonne University.
Arnaud Zajtman, France 24 Correspondent in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Kathryn Sturman, Deputy Head of Governance of African Resources at the South Africa Institute for International Affairs.
Madnodje Mounoubai, spokesperson for the United Nations Mission in Congo.
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