NAIROBI, Kenya — One person was killed Monday after hundreds of angry civilians stoned U.N. peacekeeping bases in northeastern Democratic Republic of Congo, blaming the international body for failing to stem violence in the rebellion-plagued region.
Protesters, including children, descended upon several U.N. compounds in Goma, spurring U.N. soldiers at one facility to fire in the air to disperse the crowds, according to U.N. spokeswoman Sylvie van den Wildenberg.
She said it was unclear whether the civilian was killed by a falling rock or a bullet.
“We were assaulted by a rain of stones,” she said. “We understand perfectly the frustration of the population. We understand they are panicking. But the violence of this morning was unacceptable.”
U.N. officials, who oversee a 17,000-soldier peacekeeping force, met Monday with local leaders in an attempt to calm the situation.
In a statement Monday from the U.N.’s New York headquarters, the newly appointed force commander for U.N. troops in Congo, Lt. Gen. Vicente Diaz de Villegas y Herreria, announced that he would resign.
It was unclear whether the resignation was related to the recent fighting between government troops and rebel militias. Officials cited “personal reasons” for the decision.
Frightened residents say the peacekeeping force, currently the largest in the world, has done little to stop the fighting.
Joseph Mukulima, 42, a pastor in Goma and father of six, said U.N. officials appear to lack the resolve to end the conflict.
“It’s not in their interest because if there is no (fighting) then they won’t have a job,” he said. “What’s going to happen will happen and (the U.N.) presence won’t change anything. It’s better if they just leave.”
Tensions have been rising as fighting intensifies between government troops and rebels loyal to Gen. Laurent Nkunda, who leads a well-armed militia that has vowed to overthrow the government.
Sunday, rebels overran a government army base north of Goma, sending thousands of civilians fleeing toward the city. Skirmishes continued Monday, officials said.
