Uganda And DR Congo Slam Crimes Report

Uganda And DR Congo Slam Crimes Report

Uganda has called on the United Nations to shelve its report due to be published on Friday, alleging that it took part in the atrocities in Democratic Republic of Congo.

The report, which is capable of undermining Congo's resolve to take part in African Union and United Nations peacekeeping missions, was leaked last month and covers more than 600 serious crimes allegedly committed by various forces during the 1993-2003 periods, in which tens of thousands of people were killed in fighting in Congo.

In an official response to the UN in Geneva, Ugandan Foreign Affairs Minister, Sam Kutesa said it was deeply regrettable that the authors chose to undermine the efforts of countries of the region to contribute towards regional and international peace and security.

Report may hamper peacekeeping

Kutesa said that such sinister tactics undermine Uganda's resolve to continue contributing to, and participating in various regional and international peacekeeping operations in Sudan, Liberia, Ivory Coast and East Timor.

"The draft report under reference is a compendium of rumours deeply flawed in methodology, sourcing and standard proof," Kutesa said.

The Ugandan army has also dismissed the report saying it lacked detail and sound evidence.

He demanded that the report should not be published, as Uganda rejects it in its entirety.

Uganda and Burundi have contributed all the troops in an African Union mission in Somalia known as AMISOM, that is supported by Washington and is keeping insurgents from overthrowing Mogadishu's Western-backed government.

REUTERS/Williams/Yinka