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Congolese Army Accused of Human Rights Abuse

Human rights watch groups in the Central African country of the Congo have accused the Congolese army of abusing citizens, forcing them to work in mines and as personal attendants. The army ? which has been sprawled out over the country in an attempt to keep peace in conflict ridden areas - is accused of kidnapping young men and turning them into slaves at the whim of the occupying soldiers, especially in the northeastern Ituri district.

Recently, 100 boys and men were carried off from their villages and forced against their will to dig mines and carry off building supplies looted by the Congolese army. In the past, the army has been accused of rape and other forms of human abuse although human watch groups report an escalation in the number of kidnapping and forced labor incidents. A group of nine civilians has been reported missing, presumed killed by the Congolese army.

Human rights groups are not surprised by the increase in the number of abuse reports coming from the country. In recent years, people with notorious track records in human rights have reached senior positions within the army. In a bid to buy some quiet from opposition force attacks, the army has integrated former militia heads into top positions, men who have proven to be ruthless on the battlefield. The Congolese army has promised to investigate the accusations brought against it by human rights groups in the country.