PARIS, France (PANA)�A UN report has denounced the violation of human rights posed by mercenaries employed to work in Africa�s hot spots like in the mineral-rich Democratic Republic of Congo, where former President Laurent Kabila was assassinated.

A leading daily French newspaper, Liberation, in its March 23 edition ran a report titled, "Africa�Land of Mercenaries," cited the UN as denouncing the increasing role of mercenaries on the continent.

The daily quoted the UN pointing an accusing finger at the real financiers of the mercenaries as oil companies, as well as mineral and diamond companies, in a bid by these multinationals to lay their hands on the highly valued natural resources found in many African countries.

"The (UN ) report�s author does not hide his concerns in the face of the increasing demand for mercenaries in Africa ... ," the daily observed.

It quoted the report as saying that the demand for these dogs of war was mainly for military experts, parachutist commandos, explosives experts, pilots, cabin personnel, doctors, and nurses.

They were recruited through specialized magazines such as Soldier of Fortune, the daily said.

The mercenaries were not only recruited to intervene in armed conflicts but also in human trafficking networks, drugs and in terrorist operations and other organized criminal activities.

The report cited Ukrainian mercenaries flying Mig-21 fighter jets and MI-24 helicopter gunships as being involved in the bombardments in the Democratic Republic of Congo where they were actively engaged particularly in Mbuji Mayi, the diamond capital of eastern Kasai province.

According to the report, the mercenaries were employed by security outfits and airline companies, which were registered in Nevada, in the United States, the islands of Anglo-Normandy, South Africa and Zimbabwe.