Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Kinshasa (Agenzia Fides)- Hundreds of thousands of refugees and internally displaced persons can now return to their native villages in northern Kivu (east Democratic Congo), after Kinshasa reached an agreement with Gen. Laurent Nkunda, leader of the main rebel group in the region.
Laurent Nkunda heads two rebel brigades which broke away from the unified Congolese army formed following peace agreements signed in 2003. The rebel General is also wanted internationally for war crimes.
Nkunda’s forces repeatedly thwarted efforts by Kinshasa government to restore peace and government authority in the eastern Congo where militias groups of various origin continued to kill, steal and rape even after the civil war 1998-2003 had ended.
On the basis of the agreement mediated by Rwanda, Nkunda’s soldiers will be reintegrated into the regular Congolese army and the rebel general, in exchange for the withdrawal of charges against him, has accepted to go into exile, probably in South Africa.
A UN military spokesman said the process of reintegration of Nkunda’s troops into the ranks of the regular army stationed in the North Kivu Province started on 18 January.
The agreement also envisages access for humanitarian organisations to assist desperate people in rebel controlled areas subject to years of war and sacking and tens of thousands who took refuge in Uganda. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 20/1/2007 righe 26 parole 267)
