Update on Uruguayan Troops’ Deployment to Congo Peace Mission
Armando Castaingdebat, the Minister of Defense, provided an update on Wednesday regarding the status of the Uruguayan peace mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo. He also addressed the likelihood of rotating troops, as the current contingent’s replacement is pending. The minister’s comments came amidst ongoing negotiations with Rwanda, which are crucial to the mission’s future.
“The relay troops have not been deployed yet because we’re still in talks with Rwanda,” Castaingdebat explained. “This isn’t about finding a way to withdraw our troops; rather, it’s about resolving the situation through discussions. There’s a significant United Nations resolution on the table, and we communicate daily. The situation in the Congo is currently stable,” he added.
Most Uruguayan troops are concentrated in the city of Congo, according to Castaingdebat.Regarding the troops stationed in Entebbe, Uganda, he mentioned that they are slowly returning, with some cases being repatriated for health reasons via commercial flights commissioned by the United Nations.
As for the deployment of new troops and the repatriation of the current 700-strong contingent, Castaingdebat stated, “There’s no set date at the moment. We’re working day by day to try to deploy the new contingent and repatriate the existing troops as soon as possible.” The minister’s comments suggest that the situation is being closely monitored, with a focus on finding a resolution through diplomatic channels.
For more information on the Uruguayan peace mission in the Congo, you can visit reputable news sources for updates on the developing situation. The Uruguayan government and the United Nations will likely provide further details on the troop deployment and repatriation as the situation unfolds.