Peace Keeping in Ituri

For the past ten months, I have been on rolls of an Attack Aviation Unit flying Mi25s in the peace enforcement role. We are part of the Indian Aviation Unit deployed in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Our area of operations is primarily the Ituri District. This is the area that saw horrific killings when the Hema and Lendu tribes attempted to find a FINAL SOLUTION. Congo saw two million being killed. This was further complicated by the involvement of the Ugandan forces.

I have read and seen some brutal accounts of the massacres. 'oribble stuff, people !!

Things seem to be settling down. We fly quite a lot. Area domination missions which show the presence of MONUC. Escort to Troop insertion and extrication. They tend to reassure the populace that the UN is with them.At the same time, the militia are reminded that the "Fist of MONUC" is hovering quite close.

Democracy has taken birth now in this troubled land. The government has started re-building institutions. But the task is arduous and the road to prosperity will take time.

Gen Laurent Nkunda for one will take some firm persuasion. The last time he got a bloody nose at Goma when he tried a repeat of "Bukavu" with the Indian contingents. Peter Karim seems to have quietened down in Ituri.

I like to believe that the Indian contingents have contributed to peace. The future will tell.