Congo military needs more money, coordination

“People talking about a drawdown is perfectly normal at this stage,” said Kevin Kennedy, a spokesman for the U.N. mission.

“But there is a range of things we expect the Security Council will be asking about - benchmarks on how far the (army) and the government have progressed,” he added, referring to Congo’s basic capacity to fight rebels and provide security.

While the UN force has been criticised for supporting the Congolese army on operations that have killed hundreds and displaced thousands, it is still deemed necessary.

“The situation on the ground makes us believe that a reduction or withdrawal would be a disaster for the civilian population,” said Marcel Stoessel, Oxfam’s director in Congo.

The UN plans to focus on training and security reform in 2010 and, recognising how “all donors have their own security interests”, has offered to coordinate.

Mr Stearns warned that this would have to be far-reaching, to include parliamentary oversight, making sure soldiers are paid, audits take place and military justice is improved. “In order for this to happen, donors will probably have to invest hundreds of millions of dollars, not the paltry amounts that are currently designated for this purpose,” he said.

And the EU’s Michel stressed the need for foreigners to ensure that the something as sensitive as overhauling the military is led by the Congolese if it is to be accepted. (Reuters)