Congo groups 're-arming' in east
By Martin Plaut BBC Africa editor
Civilians have repeatedly been displaced by violence in DR Congo
Government forces and rebel troops are rearming and recruiting for conflict in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo, the BBC has learned.
US and European Union officials are warning the situation is increasingly tense despite a January peace deal.
One source said six plane-loads of arms and ammunition had been flown into Goma by the government in the last 10 days.
The defence minister refused to confirm or deny allegations the government was moving weapons into eastern DR Congo.
Chikez Diemu said it was an internal matter for the authorities to deal with.
Human rights groups say that tens of thousands of people have fled as the situation in the area deteriorates.
US and European Union officials are warning the situation is increasingly tense despite a January peace deal.
One source said six plane-loads of arms and ammunition had been flown into Goma by the government in the last 10 days.
The defence minister refused to confirm or deny allegations the government was moving weapons into eastern DR Congo.
Chikez Diemu said it was an internal matter for the authorities to deal with.
Human rights groups say that tens of thousands of people have fled as the situation in the area deteriorates.
'Fragile peace'
At the end of January a peace deal was signed in Goma between the government and the variety of groups that have fought for control of the lush green forests of eastern DR Congo.
It was supposed to have seen the disarmament of groups and their integration into the army.
We're very concerned about what appears to be preparations for renewed conflict
Tim Shortley US Senior African conflict adviser
Anneke van Woudenberg, of Human Rights Watch, who has returned from the area, warns that the peace process is now under threat.
"The peace process is very fragile and shaky," she said.
"What we're seeing is re-recruiting and ongoing attempts by different armed groups to continue with the military option."
Alan Doss, the UN special representative for DR Congo, told the BBC that peacekeepers in the region were anxious about the situation.
"When you have armed groups in close proximity to each other and where we are not making progress on the political process, the risk of an accident is always there and, of course, things can spiral out of control," he said.
It was supposed to have seen the disarmament of groups and their integration into the army.
We're very concerned about what appears to be preparations for renewed conflict
Tim Shortley US Senior African conflict adviser
Anneke van Woudenberg, of Human Rights Watch, who has returned from the area, warns that the peace process is now under threat.
"The peace process is very fragile and shaky," she said.
"What we're seeing is re-recruiting and ongoing attempts by different armed groups to continue with the military option."
Alan Doss, the UN special representative for DR Congo, told the BBC that peacekeepers in the region were anxious about the situation.
"When you have armed groups in close proximity to each other and where we are not making progress on the political process, the risk of an accident is always there and, of course, things can spiral out of control," he said.
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