Africa
Clinton pledges support to end Congo conflict
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton (2nd R) purchases a shirt for her husband Bill Clinton from patients at the Heal Africa clinic in Goma August 11, 2009. Clinton said on Tuesday more must be done to protect civilians from violence in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, where the army is fighting a string of conflicts. REUTERS
Posted Wednesday, August 12 2009 at 12:04
In Summary
- Thousands of women who have been raped in Goma in the last six months have become symbols of the troubles there
- Over 800,000 have fled their homes in eastern Congo since operations against rebel FDLR were launched in January.
- Clinton kept an open ear to President Kabila's request with the army, saying, "a disciplined, paid army is a more effective fighting force.”
Both Rwanda and Congo have agreed that the crisis in the region will not be solved until the rebel network in eastern Congo is dismantled. It’s up to Hillary to now get on board.
In Goma, Clinton also called attention to the Burmese human rights activist Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, who was sentenced to a further three years under house arrest by Myanmar authorities. Clinton strongly criticized the move.
“We are concerned about the harsh punishment. The Burmese junta should immediately end its repression,” she said in Goma.
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