A European humanitarian bridge between Entebbe and Goma?
(B2)Why Entebbe? Look at a map, Kinshasa "it's a bit far" (1500 km), Kigali "it's close but unrealistic" politically of course, Entebbe "we know well" explains a soldier. So it should be from the Ugandan capital that the Europeans could set up an "air bridge" to deliver the humanitarian aid needed for the thousands of displaced people suffering from the conflict in North Kivu. (NB: Entebbe is about 400 km away from Goma, about 50 mins by Transall). This is what the United Nations "logistics cluster" advises humanitarian organizations: fly via Entebbe rather than Kinshasa "which is experiencing difficulties". The British and French could therefore lend their support to the Belgians - who already provide, with a Hercules C130, from Kinshasa (1) a shuttle - to the planes of UsAid (photo), British cooperation (Dfid) and the Nations- United (Unhas) (2). To the military means, could also be added (or replaced) means chartered from companies. But there is an important airport imperative. Not all planes can land in Goma... British cooperation thus directed its aid to Entebbe to then redirect it by small planes to Goma. The flexibility of a Transall or a Hercules which can land just about anywhere therefore seems irreplaceable...
Goma dangerous airport. Goma airport is indeed known for its shortened runway - 1800 m instead of the original 3 meters - due to a lava flow in 200. This prevents ordinary airliners (type DC 2002, Boeing 9 or 727...) to land. Finally theoretically. Because some planes still land there, sometimes risking the lives of passengers. Witness the accident, on April 737, 15, of the DC 2008 of the Hewa Bora company which had crashed at the end of the runway on houses - balance sheet about forty dead. On May 9, it was around an Antonov 26 plane from a private company (Grand lac business cargo) to miss its landing, to end up in the lava walls - without too much damage (12 injured). In September 1, an Antonov 2007 (Galaxy corporation) burst into flames on landing (assessment: 12 dead, the Russian-Congolese crew). In June-July 5, a series of similar incidents - an Antonov 2005 (Mango airlines) and an Antonov 26 (Air Service) leaving the runways on landing... - marked the news. (NB: All Congolese companies are on the EU blacklist. But not only the companies. The entire Congolese aeronautical system seems to be prey to incompetence and plagued by corruption.) Another difficulty in Goma: refueling difficult fuel on site obliges the planes to carry their fuel there and back (which reduces by as much the cargo that can be carried over a long distance, the Belgian Hercules must thus embark 12 tons instead of the possible 10 tons).
The discussion continues on Tuesday. The ambassadors of the PSC - the EU's political and security committee - discussed this subject fairly quickly on Friday, more at length during lunch with Louis-Michel, the development commissioner. They are to meet again on Tuesday to examine the subject more fully. The European Commission has indeed asked the Member States to study not only the conditions of the airlift but also how to ensure the security of the humanitarian distribution points.
Securing the humanitarian points under discussion. Several incidents have shown the need for this supervision. The EU could thus decide to commit troops on the ground, around two or three specific missions. A Franco-Belgian-Dutch-British body would undoubtedly ensure a certain efficiency at the same time as a guarantee of neutrality vis-à-vis the Rwandan neighbor whose relations with France are not currently at their best... Nb: the Europeans thus seem to agree with the opinion of the French, Belgians and Dutch who had insisted on an intervention by the EU at the last Council of Ministers with a few days late.
(1) Belgium has two Hercules based at Kinshasa military airport as part of the Belgian-Congolese military partnership program
(2) British cooperation (DFID) sends 90 tonnes of material to Goma. Two planes landed in Goma on November 9, with 15 tons of material from Unicef and NGOs (24 containers of water, 000 blankets and 8700 plastic sheets). A plane ofUsAid - the government agency for development aid - landed on November 13 (with 1000 covers, 5000 cans of water and 5000 cooking kits on board) - 4 others should follow. The plane of the United Nations humanitarian air service which was to arrive on November 14 has been postponed "sine die" (administrative and operational reasons invoked).
(NGV)
(photo: UsAid)
