All Bangladeshi troops are safe in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and they are less likely to be called up to use lethal force to protect civilians in the violence-ridden Goma.
The recent violence in the eastern town of the Congo caused the UN to instruct its blue helmets to deviate from its traditional mission of policing and use force more aggressively, if necessary, to protect civilians.
“As of today, over 2,500 Bangladeshi troops are stationed throughout Congo and all of them are safe,” said a source.
The peacekeepers in the republic are on high alert and stand ready to use force to protect civilians in Goma from the advancing rebels of the March 23 movement (M23), according to a UN press release issued on July 15.
Over 40 Bangladeshi military police are working in Goma and Indian troops are monitoring them, an official said.
“If there is any problem, the Indian troops will be the first to respond,” he added.
It is in the UN mandate to use lethal force to protect civilians in the Congo, another official said, adding that an intervention brigade of 3,000 soldiers from the African Union will operate if such a situation arises.
“The news we received is that Goma is calm but unpredictable and there is no threat at present,” he said.
Most of the Bangladeshi troops are stationed north of Goma and it is very unlikely they would be called up there if violence escalates, he added.
Bangladesh is the second largest contributor to UN peacekeeping forces with 7,986 troops and police in the mission.
According to the UN website, till May 31, a total of 19,192 uniformed personnel were stationed in the Congo.
The UN press release said the UN blue helmets stand ready to take any necessary measures including the use of lethal force in order to protect civilians.
Meanwhile, the Wall Street Journal in its report on July 16 said a part of the blue helmets could soon be involved in the battle after the UN threatened to use lethal force against the M23 rebel group.
