31 10 13 VoA DRC Seeks M23 Rebels’ Extradition from Neighboring Countries
says the request is part of a government effort to end armed
insurgencies.
“We need to fight impunity among the few [rebels] who have
criminal records,” said Mende. “Secondly, we need to give a chance to others who
are not criminals to re-insert themselves socially and professionally. This is
for us the only way to avoid the restart of insecurity in the
region.”
Mende’s comments came after the FARDC recaptured the country’s
eastern town of Bunagana, one of the last remaining strongholds of the M23
rebels.
The conflict, officials say, has displaced thousands of
civilians, some of whom have fled into neighboring Uganda. The U.N. refugee
agency (UNHCR) says it expects the number of civilians seeking shelter in Uganda
to swell to 10,000 by the end of Wednesday.
Mende said the administration
will help returning Congolese citizens rebuild their lives in North Kivu
province. The government is working with its international partners, including
the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR), to provide assistance
to the victims of the conflict.
“Our North Kivu governor [has been] busy
since yesterday organizing their way back home,” said Mende. “We are also
working with the UNHCR as well as with the neighboring governments to organize
[their return]. Their place is at home, and we shall help them rebuild their
homes and restart any activities to rebuild their lives.”
Mende said the
government wants to establish the rule of law in the restive parts of the
country including the North Kivu province where armed groups often attack
unarmed civilians and ransack their villages. He also said the administration
seeks to bolster security in the areas where the FARDC drove out the M23
rebels. Mende said residents in the areas formally held by the rebels have
confidence in the national army.
“You could witness how many are coming
back and how they are welcoming our troops. They are confident [in] their
government, of their country and of the army,” said Mende. “I think they know
that we really are willing to work to [protect] this area, and they didn’t wait
[for] any call and they are coming back in their thousands since
yesterday.”
VOA