United Nations Radio

Fresh fighting in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo has disturbed a fragile ceasefire barely a week old.

Rebels loyal to General Laurent Nkunda have clashed with government forces, and taken control of the city of Nyanzale, some 80 kilometers (or 50 miles) north of the regional capital Goma.

The fighting comes as Prime Minister Adolphe Muzito, in Goma said he was ready to talk directly with the rebels and on the eve of a UN-backed summit to try and resolve the conflict in the DRC.

Derrick Mbatha asked Madnoje Mounoubai, spokesman for the UN Mission, MONUC, about the new fighting.

Mounoubai:We received reports that as of this morning Thursday, 6 Nov at 7:30 am, the CNDP and the FARDC had a clash at about 60 km south of Kanyubanyunga in the locality that the locals call Miyanzali. Apparently, now the town is completely under the control of CNDP. That's what we have received so far.

Mbatha:And CNDP, these are fighters loyal to Laurent Nkunda?

Mounoubai:That's correct, yes.

Mbatha:Now where are the UN peacekeepers in this? Are they in anyway caught in a crossfire?

Mounoubai:Okay, when we talk about Miyanzali, you have to talk about Miyanzali as the total locality and also Miyanzali as the center of the town. And that's what we're talking about, the center of the town but we also have mobile operational base, MONUC operational base, in the area and that's where most of the IDPs went when the fight started. So MONUC is in the area yes.

Mbatha:And what's happening to the internally displaced people, they're still in that area?

Mounoubai:Yes, apparently the fighting has stopped and the IDPs now have started a return movement to their houses.

Mbatha:Now tell me about the attitude of the locals now. Last week, they complained and attacked the UN saying they were not getting protection. What's their attitude now?

Mounoubai:Well, we didn't have anymore reports of negative attitude towards MONUC because as the fighting spread, people more and more see that MONUC is a neutral force, that MONUC is not part of the problem, it's part of the solution because each time you have new fighting that's the first place they run to. They run toward the MONUC base to seek refuge and protection. So I think more and more they start to see the role of MONUC and they see that they can count on MONUC to have protection and security.

Mbatha:Tell me about what's happening on the humanitarian front. Are relief agencies still able to provide assistance to the displaced people?

Mounoubai:Yes, since Tuesday, C130 from the Belgian government has been landing everyday in Goma bringing in supplies for the WFP. Yesterday, Wednesday, the WFP has started distribution of assistance to about 135 thousand IDPs in 6 camps around Goma. They decided to do simultaneous distribution of food so that the IDPs will not have to move from one camp to the next. So provision of food has started already and that the IDPs as of yesterday started receiving food assistance.

Narrator:Derrick Mbatha there speaking there with Madnoje Mounoubai, spokesman for the UN mission, MONUC. In addition to the Secretary-General and Alain Doss, the Special Representative of Secretary-General with the UN Mission in the DRC, the presidents of Kenya, the DRC, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi and South Africa will also attend Friday's summit.

(duration: 4'18")