Malawi requests UN for more funding of its DRC troops
Posted by African Press International on June 30, 2008
The Malawi government has made a special request to the United Nations to release more funds to allow Lilongwe to send additional troops to the Democratic Republci of Congo, local Zodiak Broadcasting Station (radio) reported Monday.
Malawi has 111 soldiers in the DRC who are assisting in bringing peace to the war-torn but mineral rich nation, the radio said, quoting Malawi Defence Force (MDF)s Brigadier General Chinjala who made the plea in Goma, DRC, during a five-day tour with local journalists in that country.
Chinjala told journalists that the Malawi army contingent in the DRC was overwhelmed by a huge workload, hence the need to send additional soldiers to alleviate the situation.
\”When we visited our soldiers in Kisangani region where they are based, we saw that there was too much work for them. We therefore thought of talking to the division commander to ask the UN if we could send more troops now that the soldiers are moving from Kisangani to Goma,\” he said.
He said government was hopeful of a positive response from the UN head office after being briefed by the UN Division Commander in the DRC.
The visit was meant to re-supply the troops, boost their morale and discuss with the authorities the logistical issues needed as the Malawian soldiers move from Kisangani to Goma.
Soldiers from across the world under United Nations Peace Mission are trying to secure the partial peace in the DRC due to the long war that has so far seen thousands of civilian people dead.
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API/APA
