DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO: Congolese troops enter the eastern border town of Bunagana after a major new success in their offensive to crush a 20-month rebellion
Record ID:
567045
DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO: Congolese troops enter the eastern border town of Bunagana after a major new success in their offensive to crush a 20-month rebellion
- Title: DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO: Congolese troops enter the eastern border town of Bunagana after a major new success in their offensive to crush a 20-month rebellion
- Date: 31st October 2013
- Summary: BUNAGANA, DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO (OCTOBER 30, 2013) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF CONGOLESE MILITARY FRONTLINE VARIOUS OF CONGOLESE COMMANDER GIVING INSTRUCTIONS VARIOUS OF SOLDIERS CARRYING WEAPONS/ WALKING ON FRONTLINE INJURED CONGOLESE SOLDIER SOLDIERS WALKING PAST SOLDIERS SITTING ON TANK CONGOLESE MILITARY SPOKESMAN, COLONEL OLIVIER HAMULI WALKING PAST (SOUNDBITE) (French) CONGOLESE MILITARY SPOKESMAN, COLONEL OLIVIER HAMULI, SAYING: "We are truly honoured that the soldiers were able to honour the Head of State and the national flag. We promised that we would soon hoist the National flag in Bunagana and that has now happened. That is it what is important, the FARDC [Congolese armed forces] has kept its word and M23 has been chased out of the country forever." SOLDIERS WALKING PAST (SOUNDBITE) (French) CONGOLESE MILITARY SPOKESMAN, COLONEL OLIVIER HAMULI, SAYING: "We will continue to push them to their last stronghold because they are criminals, we must not give them time, they have for a long time tormented the people of Congo, it is time to make peace now." BUNAGANA RESIDENTS GATHERED (SOUNDBITE) (Swahili) BUNAGANA RESIDENT, JEAN BALY, SAYING: "I am very happy because for a year with the M23 it was thought they were liberators, we were made to sleep early, there were many conditions and at times they could come and break down the door and take away your property, they raped women, we couldn't work anymore, they took our money, we pay taxes without knowing why we were paying as we were traders, but today we give thanks to God because the government has freed us." VARIOUS OF CONGOLESE SOLDIERS WALKING PAST
- Embargoed: 15th November 2013 12:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Congo, The Democratic Republic of the
- Country: Congo, Democratic Republic of
- Topics: Conflict,General,Politics
- Reuters ID: LVA97TUXB3E2J6RIGUIA3IMNEPAS
- Story Text: Congolese soldiers on Wednesday (October 30) took the border town of Bunagana to the jubilation of its residents.
The town was the first seized last year by M23 rebels in the Democratic Republic of Congo and the last they held after being forced back recently by Congo's U.N.-backed army.
The rebels appeared to have withdrawn before the army arrived.
The Congolese army pushed the rebels back several times over the last week, prompting the French ambassador to the United Nations to declare on Monday (October 28) that M23 was "militarily finished".
Bunagana was strategic during the rebellion, allowing the M23 to control lucrative cross-border taxation and giving them access to Uganda and Rwanda, which are accused by U.N. experts of backing the rebels, something both nations deny.
Congo's east has been plagued by cycles of rebellion and the United States has called for a return to talks, warning of further violence if no diplomatic solution is found.
The Congolese army used heavy artillery to close in on the last bastions of rebel resistance in the eastern provinces, according to a commander, as part of a push to stamp out the 20-month insurgency.
"We will continue to push them to their last stronghold because they are criminals, we must not give them time, they have for a long time tormented the people of Congo, it is time to make peace now," said Congolese military spokesman Colonel Olivier Hamuli.
After capturing Bunagana, government forces moved towards Mbuzi and Runyoni.
According to civilians, M23 rebels were viewed with suspicion and were considered oppressors.
"I am very happy because for a year with the M23 it was thought they were liberators, we were made to sleep early, there were many conditions and at times they could come and break down the door and take away your property, they raped women, we couldn't work anymore, they took our money, we pay taxes without knowing why we were paying as we were traders, but today we give thanks to God because the government has freed us," said Bunagana resident Jean Baly.
The Congolese army recaptured M23 strongholds at Kibumba, Kiwanja and Rutshuru on Saturday (Octotober 26) and Sunday (October 27). - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
- Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2013. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
- Usage Terms/Restrictions: None