The Mess That Is Congo Today

Soldiers fired shots in the air amid shambolic scenes in Kibati Photo: AP

Congo Soldiers Get Drunk After Victory Over Rebels
-- The Telegraph

The shambolic state of the Democratic Republic of Congo's army was laid bare yesterday as government troops got drunk on looted beer aftter capturing rebel positions.

The troops are the only line of defence, aside from a timid United Nations force, between the country's main eastern city of Goma and battle-hardened rebels.

But their volatility and lack of discipline was obvious yesterday as one soldier on a motorbike fired shots into the air to warn journalists – including The Sunday Telegraph – away as they approached the new frontline. Others, clearly intoxicated, milled around carrying rocket propelled grenades.

Several other media and aid workers have been threatened by the soldiers, who now hold all of the village of Kibati, eight miles north of Goma after gunbattles with rebels on Friday.

The situation for the tens of thousands of displaced civilians camped in Kibati is worsening, with government troops doing little to reassure people.

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