Senior peacekeeper a war crimes suspect
Published: Aug. 22, 2007 at 9:34 AM
UNITED NATIONS, Aug. 22 (UPI) -- A senior U.N. peacekeeper in Sudan's Darfur conflict has been accused by Rwandan expatriates of being part of war crimes committed in Rwanda in 1994.
Based in Belgium, the United Democratic Forces-Inkingi allege Gen. Karenzi Karake, 46, ordered political assassinations and oversaw massacres after Rwanda's clash between Tutsis and Hutus.
Karake was selected by the African Union to be deputy commander of a $2 billion U.N. peacekeeping force in Sudan that is being formed to join AU peacekeepers in December.
The United Nations asked Rwanda to withdraw Karake's name until an investigation was completed but Rwanda refused, The Washington Times reported.
Rwandan Ambassador to the United Nations Joseph Nsengimana dismissed the accusations and told the Times it was a dissident effort to discredit Rwanda's military.
Rwanda has about 3,000 soldiers and police in the 7,000-person AU mission in Darfur.
Based in Belgium, the United Democratic Forces-Inkingi allege Gen. Karenzi Karake, 46, ordered political assassinations and oversaw massacres after Rwanda's clash between Tutsis and Hutus.
Karake was selected by the African Union to be deputy commander of a $2 billion U.N. peacekeeping force in Sudan that is being formed to join AU peacekeepers in December.
The United Nations asked Rwanda to withdraw Karake's name until an investigation was completed but Rwanda refused, The Washington Times reported.
Rwandan Ambassador to the United Nations Joseph Nsengimana dismissed the accusations and told the Times it was a dissident effort to discredit Rwanda's military.
Rwanda has about 3,000 soldiers and police in the 7,000-person AU mission in Darfur.
© 2007 United Press International. All Rights Reserved.
This material may not be reproduced, redistributed, or manipulated in any form.
This material may not be reproduced, redistributed, or manipulated in any form.
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