DR Congo: The AU Force announced

New Vision reports

Ten countries for DRC peacekeeping - Kiyonga

By John Nzinjah

A total of 10 countries in the Great Lakes region have resolved to form a joint force of 4,000 troops to contain the insurgency in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Defence Minister Dr. Crispus Kiyonga has confirmed.

"The countries to contribute to the force include Angola, Namibia, Congo Brazzaville, South Sudan, Rwanda, Tanzania, Kenya, Zambia, Uganda, Burundi and the DRC itself," Kiyonga said.

That is a hell of an unwieldy force make up. Tanzania is going to have fun commanding the force. Interesting Rwanda and Uganda are committing troops. What has happened to Zimbabwe ? They are usually up for pillaging opportunities.
He said this while officiating at the passing out of 350 youths at the end of a two-week military and patriotism course at Kisinga Vocational Secondary School in Kisinga sub-county Kasese district on Monday.

Will blog about that separately.
He said the force would operate under the command of Tanzania. 

The current insurgency in the eastern DRC broke out in April this year when the M23 rebels mutinied and deserted from the country's army causing over 500,000 people to flee from their homes in the ensuing unrest.

Addressing himself to the youthful cadres, the minister warned them against supporting elements that may want to change government by the use of force.

How ironic.
He advised them to be supportive of ideas which are pro Pan-Africanism and regional integration for faster economic and social development of the African people.

He urged them to use the skills and knowledge they had acquired during the military and patriotism course to ensure that corruption is routed out the country.

Kiyonga said that among the ten reasons the NRA/M waged a bush war was to fight corruption that existed in the former governments. 

China in Africa. More exploitation

The BBC reports on something all to familiar in New Zealand.

Angola deports China 'gangsters'

                                                    The suspects will now face trial in China

Angola has extradited 37 Chinese nationals, accused of extortion, kidnappings, armed robberies and running prostitution rings.

They allegedly targeted other Chinese, kidnapping businessmen for ransom and sometimes burying victims alive.

They lured women to Angola, promising well-paid jobs, but then forced them into prostitution, Chinese police said.

Tens of thousands of Chinese live in Angola, and Chinese state-run firms have large interests in the country.

China's Ministry of Public Security said a special police team was sent to Angola in July to help investigate criminal gangs.

The ministry said the officers had helped their Angolan counterparts break up 12 gangs and free 14 victims, most of whom were thought to be women forced to work as prostitutes.

I guess it is good that the Chinese are helping to clean up a situation they created. 

The 37 suspects arrived at Beijing airport in handcuffs with balaclavas covering their faces. They are due to be tried in China.

This annoys me it has happened in New Zealand as well. Nation states should not hand over sovereignty to China. This is starting to become common practice by the look of things.

Mineral-rich Angola is China's biggest trading partner in Africa, with some $24.8bn (£15.7bn) in 2010.

Commercial opportunities have attracted private businesses and state-run firms.

But according to Chinese media, crime had begun to seriously affect operations in the country.

So Chinese self interest is the actual reason for this.

China Police, a website run by the ministry, published an article documenting 14 kidnappings during 2011 in which five victims were killed.

The article said Chinese business owners had moved away from the capital Luanda, while others had hired private security guards and bought bullet-proof cars.

Ironic isn't it Angola is not the safest place in the world but the Chinese have to fear other Chinese as well as all the other inherent risks.