Congo Rangers

Category: Crises | Date: Jan 27 2007 | By: admin

Lulimbi ranger station came under heavy attack from the Mai Mai last night forcing rangers and their families to flee into the bush. 

We don’t have any more information at this time, but the attack follows threats recieved by the ICCN last week.  The UN investigated the allegations, contacting both the Interehamwe and the Mai Mai, and beleived the threats to be unfounded.  They got it wrong.  The rangers returned to the station and have now suffered an almighty blow.  We are just crossing our fingers that no one has been killed. 

UNESCO is now trying to make contact with the DRC authorities and will try and do whatever it takes to make sure that the damage to this world heritage site is not irreversable. 

The UN mandate to protect the local population and the park rangers needs to become more proactive if they are to be an effective peacekeeping force.  They need to take action against the Mai Mai and remove them from the park immeidately, or attacks like these will continue.