The UN abruptly called off the deployment of the first armed troops in a key eastern Congo city today, even as the military plane was on final approach, after the rebels refused to let the forces in.
The United Nations said yesterday plans to deploy Moroccan troops in Kisangani, Congo's third-largest city, would go ahead despite a warning from rebels that they would consider it a "declaration of war."
Congo's Rwanda-backed Rally for Congolese Democracy has accused government-allied forces of repeatedly violating a newly revived ceasefire with attacks on villages in rebel-held territory.
Rebel leader Mr Adolphe Onusumba demanded that the United Nations confirm and condemn the alleged attacks on civilians before UN troops could move into Kisangani.
A 3,000-strong U.N. force is to deploy in coming months to monitor a month-old pullback of the six armies and two major rebel movements at war in Congo.
The conflict has killed at least 1.7 million people and displaced 2 million more, leaving the Central African nation split between rival forces.
Sunday's planned deployment of 120 Moroccan troops in Kisangani would have brought the UN force in place to about 1,200.
The Rwanda-backed rebels abruptly declared late last week they would block the deployment in Kisangani, of key strategic importance given its location, large airport and proximity to diamond mines.
AP