UN soldiers in Bunia clash

By Arnaud Zajtman
BBC, Kinshasa

At least two people have been wounded in a gun battle between UN peacekeepers and local militiamen in Bunia, in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, say UN officials.

About 4,000 UN peacekeepers patrol Bunia

It is the first time UN soldiers have opened fire since they were deployed under a Chapter 7 mandate at the beginning of the month - the most robust mode of operation available under the UN charter.

Shooting broke out when UN forces tried to disarm them.

A UN information officer said that the militiamen refused to lay down their arms and opened fire at the UN soldiers, who then retaliated.

An inter-ethnic war has been raging in and around Bunia for the last four years and has claimed an estimated 50,000 lives.

Peace condition

Three months ago, 1,200 troops were sent by the European Union and managed to stop the fighting there.

But they have now been replaced by UN troops who are trying to disarm all militiamen there, the condition for peace to last in this little dusty, isolated town.

More than 4,000 UN armed troops from Bangladesh, Pakistan and Uruguay now patrol Bunia, and additional troops are still expected.

It is only when security has completely returned that the UN will start deploying troops outside the town, in the wider region of Ituri, where atrocities are still being reported.