Two Weeks to Go

AFP says that John Numbi, the lieutenant general in charge of the joint Congo-Rwanda military operation against the FDLR, said on Wednesday that the operation should conclude before the end of the month.

"We've accomplished 95 percent of our objectives. That is, all of the headquarters of the FDLR have been destroyed at every level--brigade, company, and battalion," he said.

Really? Somehow, I doubt it. Take a look at this picture. It's worth the proverbial 1000 words:


A fighter from the FDLR rebel group, which is being hunted by the Rwandan and Congolese armies, stands guard deep in the bush of eastern Congo, February 6, 2009. Rwandan Hutu rebels are melting into the forests of eastern Congo before advancing Rwandan and Congolese forces, in a sign the surprise joint offensive has little chance of quashing militia groups at the heart of 15 years of conflict. Picture taken February 6, 2009. CONGO-DEMOCRATIC/RWANDA REUTERS/Finbarr O'Reilly