Sunday, July 28, 2013

DR Congo issues warrants for Rwanda-based rebels

Published July 26, 2013

The president of the March 23 Movement (M23), Bishop Jean Marie Runiga Lugerero poses in Bunaganan near Rutshuru, on October 17, 2012. Kinshasa has issued international arrest warrants for him and three other leaders of the Congolese rebel group. (AFP/File)

KINSHASA (AFP) – Kinshasa has issued international arrest warrants for four leaders of the Congolese rebel group M23 who have found shelter in Rwanda, the government spokesman said Friday.

The Democratic Republic of Congo issued the warrants on Thursday against the four, who have also been slapped with sanctions by the United Nations, Lambert Mende said in a statement.

One warrant targets Jean-Marie Runiga Lugerero, a bishop and former chairman of the M23, as well as Baudouin Ngaruye, described in the statement as a "self-proclaimed M23 brigade general."

The two other warrants were for commanders Eric Badege and Innocent Zimurinda.

All four are accused of "war crimes, crimes against humanity including murder, imprisonment, torture, rape, sexual slavery, ethnic persecution" and several other charges.

The M23, a mainly Tutsi Congolese group founded in 2012 and operating in eastern DR Congo, split in February this year.

One faction sided with military leader Sultani Makenga and the other with Runiga, the movement's political leader.

In March, Runiga and around 700 fighters crossed the border into Rwanda, which has been accused by Kinshasa and the UN of founding and arming the M23.

Kinshasa said Friday it was "keenly awaiting the Rwanda government's reply" and stressed that Kigali had signed a regional deal whereby it agrees not to support armed groups in eastern DR Congo.

Congo rebels detain 100 people for opposition

11 hours ago Politics

GOMA, Congo (AP) — A spokesman for the M23 rebel group in eastern Congo says the group detained more than 100 people who claimed the rebels were responsible for thefts.

Kabasha Amani said the 110 people, mostly young men, were detained during a pro-rebel rally Saturday in the town of Rutshuru to "prevent ethnic tensions degenerating." He said 80 people were quickly released and the rest would be released by the evening.

Rutshuru resident Kahindo Lusenge told a local radio station the young men spoke out after being ordered by M23 to attend the pro-rebel rally. He said those detained were taken to a nearby prison.

M23 formed last year and briefly captured the town of Goma last November. Fighting between the rebels and government resumed this month after several months of relative calm.