Uganda returns fleeing Congo soldiers, police

A motorcyclist carries soldiers as others patrol the area in Kibumba that was attacked by M23 rebels in clashes with the Congolese army, near the town of Goma in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, June 1, 2022. PHOTO / AFP

What you need to know:

  • About 137 Congolese soldiers and 37 police officers, who were manning Bunagana border post on the DR Congo side, fled into Kisoro District after the rebels seized their stations on Monday morning.

Congolese soldiers and police officers that fled into Uganda after their work stations were captured by the M23 rebels were yesterday afternoon handed over to the Congolese government in Kanungu District.

About 137 Congolese soldiers and 37 police officers, who were manning Bunagana border post on the DR Congo side, fled into Kisoro District after the rebels seized their stations on Monday morning.

The Kisoro Resident District Commissioner,  Mr Shafiq Sekandi, who doubles as the chairman of the Kisoro security committee, yesterday evening confirmed the hand over.

“About 10 Congolese soldiers that were injured during the fighting are still under treatment at Mutorele Hospital although one of them is critically sick,”  Mr  Sekandi added.

He said the Congolese ambassador, Mr Jean Pierre Massala, visited the injured Congolese soldiers and promised to pay all the hospital bills.  

DR Congo statement 

A statement released by the spokesman of the military governor of North Kivu Province, Ekenge Bomusa Efomi Slyvain. ‘‘The Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo informs the public in general and the population of North Kivu in particular that for more than two days, the terrorists of the M23 supported by the Rwanda Defence Forces (RDF) have carried out unsuccessful attacks against FARDC positions at BIGEGA 1 and 2, BUGUSA and PREMEDIS.  

Determined to defend the integrity of the country, the loyalist forces routed these criminals while inflicting enormous losses on them. After noting the enormous setbacks suffered by their proteges on the ground, the RDF have this time decided to violate our territorial integrity by occupying the border town of Bunagana on Monday. What occurred is more or less an invasion of the DR Congo.

The Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo will draw all the consequences which are essential and will defend the fatherland. The Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo urges the population to be vigilant and asks them to trust them not to give in to panic, fear and desolation.  May you remember what happened in 2013 with the same actors and the same environment. All arrangements are in place for the resumption in the morning of the situation done in Goma on June 13, 2022.’’