FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 23, 2003
(Ottawa) In the wake of escalating violence in the Ituri region of northeastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), which some have warned could become “the next Rwanda,” the World Federalists of Canada (WFC) today welcomed Prime Minister Chrétien's commitment to help the UN deployment to the DRC. However, Canada can and should do more to help.
"Canada should provide ground troops, in addition to the transport planes promised by the Prime Minister," says Fergus Watt, WFC Executive Director.
"We do have the troops available. Almost ten years after the international community allowed hundreds of thousands of innocent people to be slaughtered in Rwanda, it is simply unthinkable that there would be any hesitation to react now, under similar circumstances.”
UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan has called for an emergency deployment of armed forces to reinforce UN efforts aimed at consolidating peace efforts and preventing large-scale atrocities in the region. The UN Security Council is reviewing the mandate and capacity of the United Nations Observer Mission in Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUC).
The MONUC has a mandate that includes "protecting civilians under imminent threat of physical violence." However, as an observer mission its role is limited. UN Deputy Emergency Relief Coordinator, Carolyn McAskie told the Security Council that MONUC should have a Chapter VII mandate, permitting use of force. And MONUC needs more troops.
A French military reconnaissance team arrived in the Democratic Republic of Congo town of Bunia this week to pave the way for a strengthened UN force.
On May 9 Foreign Affairs Minister Bill Graham announced additional Canadian funding to follow-up efforts on “The Responsibility to Protect,” the report of the International Commission on Intervention and State Sovereignty. This initiative aims to enhance the international community's policy framework for responding to threats of genocide and other atrocities.
“Canada has been in the forefront calling for the international community to do more to protect civilians in humanitarian emergencies,” says Watt. “We’re a leader in a number of important policy debates, at the UN and elsewhere. Now is the time for our deeds to match our words.”
Peter Langille, a member of the WFC Board notes that "Canada has the capacity now to contribute troops. DND's own figures confirm this." Prof. Langille is author of the recently-published "Bridging the Commitment - Capacity Gap: a review of existing arrangements for enhancing UN rapid deployment. "This is an emergency. A few hundred troops with the right mandate would save hundreds of lives. It's simply a myth to say that there isn't the troop capacity within the Canadian armed forces."
Until the mid-1990s Canada could be relied upon to anchor difficult UN peacekeeping missions. Canada now ranks 31st in contributions to UN peace operations, with less than 300 troops deployed abroad.
For 2003 and 2004 Canada has taken on a leadership role chairing the SHIRBRIG (Multinational Stand-by Forces High Readiness Brigade for UN operations). Made up of troops from 15 nations earmarked for UN rapid deployment, the SHIRBRIG recently completed a successful deployment to Ethiopia – Eritrea.
"The SHIRBRIG could be the ideal mechanism to mobilize a deployment to prevent further atrocities in the DRC, says Langille."
“We have the capacity to re-engage, to do more for UN peace operations” says Watt. “Canadians expect us to take on these sorts of tasks. After the horror of Rwanda, how can we do anything but respond promptly and affirmatively to the UN’s call for help?”
FOR MORE INFORMATION Fergus Watt, World Federalists of Canada (613) 232-0647 Peter Langille, University of Victoria, (250) 472-5178