CONFIRMATORY AIR RECONNAISSANCE TO ZONGO

CONFIRMATORY AIR RECONNAISSANCE TO ZONGO

Today, I was part of a confirmatory air reconnaissance (recce) team to Zongo.The aim of the recce was to confirm the suitability of identified houses and existing infrastructural support in order to the establishment a new team site.in Zongo. Zongo is a town along river Ubangi in the north western part of Democratic Republic of Congo .The Ubangi river serves as the boundary between Central African Republic and Democratic Republic of Congo..Zongo and Bangui are separated by River Ubangi and the two towns are all located on a hill so it so beautiful looking at either of the two town from either side. Zongo is not a big city but because of its location there is always active commercial activities. Both cities are located on a hill so none has military advantage from the fact that Bangui is the capital city of Central Africa Republic and may have some strategic assets.

Those of you who have been following the news would know that about three months ago the government of President Francoise Bozize of Central Africa Republic was overthrown by Seleka rebels.Seleka rebels or for want of a better word mercenary are a coalition of rebels from Tchad and Sudan. Asa result, most of the loyalist of Bozize, both military and civilians fled across the river to Zongo. Additionally there were a large influx of refugees who also crossed to Zongo.This has created some sense of insecurity in Zongo and its sounding villages.This has necessitated the establishment of two major refugee camps for civilians and military. To enable the United Nations Stabilisation Mission in Democratic Republic of Congo(MONUSCO)  to have 24hr report of the situation in Zongo and probably in Bangui and also to serve as the eyes and ears of MONUSCO, a decision has been taken to establish a Team Site in Zongo.

The recce team was composed of UN specialist from branches and sections such as transport, communication and information technology system, supply,movement control, security, communications, engineering, logistics operations and administration. Troops from a Ghanaian contingent provided security for the recce team. A Russian M17 helicopter was used for the recce.The history of air travel in Democratic Republic of congo is not too good so whenever one sits in especially helicopter, until have you have reached your destinations, you remain very uncomfortable. This mission was especially dangerous because Seleka rebels are deployed only 2km across the Ubangi river. Unfortunately and fortunately it is difficult to get helicopter for such patrols because most of the time it is engaged somewhere for some very important assignment.

The flight was one and a half hour and the patrol team had only two hours to gather all the necessary information they need to decide the exact location of the new team site. The job of a military observer is fun because you meet so many people from different countries; learn cultures and  taste different type of food. Like today, the patrol team was composed of 25 people from 20 different countries. There is always something new to learn from your colleagues.