UN ignoring conflicts in Africa: Congo

8220;This is an outrage, especially for the body which is in charge of taking care of peace and security,8221; he said at a news conference. He noted that the recent reported massacre of 500 civilians in the east of his country, blamed on the anti-government rebels supported by Uganda, had provoked no response from the 15-member Security Council.

8220;We haven8217;t heard anything,8221; Kapanga said, adding that he had written to the Council on Wednesday asking it to condemn the 8220;invasion8221; of Congolese territory by Ugandan and Rwandan troops and demand their immediate withdrawal.

He said also asked the Council to order aninvestigation into the reported massacre in Makobola as well as atrocities committed in August 1998 in Kasika, another eastern town of Congo.

8220;I was surprised to discover that the Congo did not even figure on the programme of the Security Council, it is shocking,8221; Kapanga said, adding that the fighting in his country was raging.

8220;What did we have? Statements, that8217;s all,8221; he noted bitterly. 8220;The problem is the Security Council and the United Nations are not paying attention to the problems of Africa.8221;

UN Chief Kofi Annan on Wednesday condemned the Makobola massacre and appealed for all parties in the conflict in Congo to respect human rights and international humanitarian standards.