Friday, July 6, 2012

UN Steps Up Its Duties in the DRC


The UN has been here for over a decade, often accused of being more worried about defending themselves, than the civilians they're supposed to be protecting. But since the rebellion began, the UN has interpreted its mandate, much more aggressively than ever before. Like so many of the battles here, civilians are right on the front. As the battle moves down the valley terrified villagers scoop up their belongings. In the past the UN have left the fight to the thinly stretched Congolese. Now, they've ordered their troops into positions that radically narrow the distinction between civilian protection and military engagement. Al Jazeera's Peter Greste reports from Eastern Congo.

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