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In recent weeks the Militias that hide out in this volatile region flexed their muscles. Some of the Incidents
that were reported by various sources include:
A Firefight along the Congolese border with Sudan. The Participants were the Army of the Government of Southern
Sudan and the LRA (Lord's Resistance Army) of Uganda. Earlier this year the LRA did not show up to sign a Peace Accord with
the Ugandan Government.
An Attempt by the FARDC ( Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo) and MONUC (United Nations Mission
in the Congo) to reign in the FDLR ( Democratic Liberation Forces of Rwanda) was inconclusive. The Government Forces withdrew
from the Areas of Operation. It has been reported that the FDLR has set up its own Government in the Region.
The US Congress has introduced H Res 765 in an effort to address the situation:
For Several Years Militia Activity has been a problem in the restoration of Peace in the Great Lakes
Region of Africa.
H Res 765 has been in the Foreign Relations Committee of the House of
Representatives since November 2007. Introduced by Congressman Jim Cooper of Tennessee it has 34 Sponsors at this time.
Highlights of this bill are:
It calls for a Cease-Fire in the Region and condemns all attempts to resist the current
Kinshasa Government.
Encourages all Private Militias to disarm
Encourages the US to publically state its support for the disarmament of Forces loyal
to Gen Nkunda and their Integration into the New Standing National Army.
Condemns the Moving of Military Forces into the Virunga National Forest and the Danger
it poses to the Mountain Gorillas.
Currently this bill is still in Committee!!!!
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