Democratic Republic of Congo / Rwandan rebels surrender

 

KINSHASA, Dem. Rep. of Congo (DRC) April 28, 2009/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Daily press briefing by the office of the spokesperson for the UN secretary-general:

 

 

On the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUC) reports that Rwandan rebels are now surrendering at a rate of 146 fighters a month.  That’s four times last year’s average of 37 fighters a month.  More than 660 Rwandan rebels have heeded the call and returned to civilian life since the start of this year, along with 1,000 of their dependents.

 

This past weekend, another 10 members of the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) surrendered to a joint UN/Congolese army patrol near Goma.  The rebels brought with them 31 of their dependents along with a sizeable weapon arsenal.  The Mission says the new additions to its disarmament programme are now being processed for repatriation to Rwanda.  It calls on remaining FDLR fighters to follow suit.

 

SOURCE 

United Nations – Office of the Spokesperson of the Secretary-General