France and UK in mission to DR Congo

London and Paris have launched a joint mission to try to bring an end to renewed conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Both countries’ foreign ministers have been sent to the DRC capital, and will also visit neighbouring Rwanda.

Rebels are threatening to take control of the eastern city of Goma if a ceasefire they declared is not guaranteed by UN peacekeepers deployed in the country. Thousands of people have fled Goma after four days of fighting between government troops and rebels, who say they are protecting the Tutsi minority from oppression.

Human rights groups have accused government soldiers of killings and rapes, but say abuses have also been reported on the rebel side. EU officials are considering whether to send a European force to the DRC, which was ravaged by a five-year war that began in 1998.

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