Irish troops bound for DRC

Irish soldiers are to be sent to the strife-torn Democratic Republic of Congo, Defence Minister Willie O’Dea announced today.

The Cabinet approved the deployment of up to 10 members of the Defence Forces as part of an EU mission to support United Nations troops during the forthcoming elections in the huge central African country.

Mr O’Dea said the state’s proposed contribution is in line with that of other contributing EU member states and was in accordance with its existing major commitments to peacekeeping operations in Africa and in the Balkans.

“Two officers have already been assigned to the Operational Headquarters for the mission in Potsdam, Germany for pre-deployment training and familiarisation,” he said.

“We are currently waiting for details from the EU Military Staff regarding the deployment of the remaining personnel.

“As the number of Defence Forces personnel being deployed to this mission does not exceed 12, Dáil approval is not required under the terms of the Defence Acts.

“I do however, intend to make a statement in Dáil Eireann outlining the proposed deployment as a matter of courtesy to the House and opposition parties,” he added.

The Irish troops will form part of the EU military operation supporting the UN Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUC) for a four-month period encompassing July’s elections.

MONUC was established in February 2000 and consists of around 16,000 troops, headquartered in Kinshasa. Ireland contributes three military observers to the mission.

The EU will not be substituting for MONUC but providing a supporting role in the event of unrest during the election period.

In December 2005, the UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO) invited the EU to consider the possibility of providing “a suitably earmarked force reserve that could enhance MONUC’s quick reaction capabilities during and immediately after the electoral process”.

Mr O’Dea said today’s Cabinet approval once again demonstrates Ireland’s active support for peacekeeping in Africa and in this case the transition to democracy in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

“The Government has already provided €500,000 in support for the electoral process in the DRC,” he said.

“In addition, €4m has been provided to date in 2006 to help alleviate the dire humanitarian situation in the country, where an estimated 38,000 people are still dying every month from conflict-related causes and over 1.6 million people are displaced.”