Democratic Republic of the Congo - They Say, We Say...

Other countries say...

"One of the many extremist rebel factions in the Great Lakes region, the Rwandan Force for Democracy and Liberty, has committed violent acts against American citizens and interests. This faction was responsible for the March 1999 kidnapping and murder in Uganda of several western tourists, including Americans. In April 2001, six employees of the International Committee of the Red Cross were murdered while working in the DRC, near Bunia in Orientale province. In May of 2001, irregular Congolese Mai-Mai forces kidnapped more than 20 individuals employed by a Thai logging company in North Kivu Province. In northeastern Congo, members of the Lord’s Resistance Army have made incursions into the DRC from southern Sudan, near the DRC border, in and around the area of Garamba National Park. " US State Department

"The collapsed economy, non-payment of military and public service salaries, and very high unemployment has led to a high level of crime. You should be alert to the risk of street crime and armed robbery at all times, including being targeted by armed gangs when driving. There has been an increase in street robbery of foreigners in Kinshasa, often in the vicinity of hotels and supermarkets. Some gangs use girls to lure the unwary into traps; others promise cut price gold and diamonds or pose as police to rob foreigners, including in daylight. There is also a risk of arbitrary arrests of foreigners by security authorities who demand payment for release." UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office

DRC says...

"Civilians or combatants from here or abroad please come to Monuc reception centres, we will provide security."Leaflet, distributed to some 10,000 armed militia members including Hutu genocidaires from Rwanda.