DRC: Army deploys two more battalions to Ituri

[XXPANTHAXX]

BUNIA, 19 Apr 2005 (IRIN) - Two more battalions of the
Congolese Armed Forces have arrived in Bunia, the main town
in the northeastern district of Ituri, ahead of their
deployment to formerly militia-occupied territories of Mahagi
and Aru, an army liaison officer told IRIN on Tuesday.

"They arrived by road and will be deployed by road in order
to easily assess the situation on the roads," Lt Gulain Umba,
the army liaison officer, said.

He added that the army would assess the situation across an
area spanning 480 km from Bunia through Djugu, a territory
occupied by Front des nationalistes intégrationistes (FNI)
and Union des patriotes congolais militias.

Due to a shortage of police officers, Umba said, the
battalions' duties would, in addition to protecting national
security, extend to the protection of the lives and property
of civilians.

Aru and Mahagi territories were previously occupied by the
rebel Forces armées du peuple congolais and FNI militias.

While Belgian instructors trained the first battalion that
has been deployed in Ituri in the past several months,
Congolese instructors prepared the second battalion for one
month.

An army officer, Col Maurice Aguru, said the UN Mission in
the Congo, MONUC, would train the battalions in peacekeeping
operations before their deployment.