700 Congo soldiers return home
Some of the Congolese forces move towards their waiting vehicles after a verification exercise for their return home at Bwera, in Kasese District on Wednesday. The forces fled into Uganda following attacks by the M23 rebels. Photo by Enid Ninsiima.
What you need to know:
Returning safe. Kasese RDC Milton Odongo asked the Congolese government not to punish the soldiers for deserting the battlefield.
The government has handed over 718 Congolese government soldiers who fled rebel fire last week in the war-torn areas of Kivu Province in eastern DR Congo.
The soldiers, who entered Uganda through Kisoro District, were handed over on Wednesday at the 23rd Battalion of Rusese Barracks in Kasese. They were received by the Congolese deputy Ambassador to Uganda, Mr Jean Pierre Massala and the 708 FARDC Commander, Col. Eric Ruhorimbere and his deputy Regt. Commander, Bisamaza Risseiur and Regt. Commander 801 Col. Karonda Famba.
The Resident District Commissioner, Lt. Milton Odongo, appealed to the Congolese commanders and government not to punish the soldiers for their decision to run away from the battlefield, saying it was the right decision because it saved many lives.
Smart move
“The commanders’ decision to withdraw was the right one because they saved many lives that the government was about to lose, so welcome them and treat them well,” Lt. Odongo said.
He added that between June 25 and 27, six Congolese soldiers were ambushed and injured by the ADF rebels at Kamango Village in DRC and were later evacuated through Butaama to the 305 Brigade in Uganda for treatment.
He said the clashes between the DRC soldiers and the M23 rebels had intensified and that the withdraw of soldiers and police forces with their civilians was the only option.
Lt. Odongo appealed to DR Congo government to allow Uganda enter its territory so that it could flash out the ADF insurgents, who have terrorised the country for quite long time.
The Congolese deputy ambassador to Uganda thanked the Ugandan government for being hospitable to the people of Congo, adding: “My soldiers have told me that everything was okay in Uganda and they wished to stay here for quite longer.”
The UN representatives to Uganda, Mr Javier Sanjuan and Saleh Mahboob, appreciated the Ugandan government’s for the support rendered to the Congolese since they entered the country on July 5 in terms of logistics, transport and meals.
The handover
Agreements. The Congolese were handed over under the Ngurdoto Agreement signed in Tanzania, which allows Uganda and DR Congo to settle the matters locally and the Tripartite Plus Agreement, which helps DR Congo to solve its differences with its three neighbouring countries; Uganda , Rwanda and Burundi.
Repatriates. The repatriated soldiers, who returned with their weapons, included 579 FARDC members, 42 police men and women, 31 women, 33 children, 11 causalities and undocumented 19.
