South Sudanese authorities appease the DRC

Text by: RFI Follow

A hostage, weapons and property looted in Ituri by the SPLA, the army of South Sudan, have been handed over to the Congolese authorities. However, the problem has not been eliminated.

Publicity

With our correspondent in Kinshasa, Kamanda Wa Kamanda Muzembe

The hostage is a 19-year-old young man. He was kidnapped on June 13 after a double incursion by the South Sudanese army into the border communities of Kengezi-Base and Karagba, in Ituri. An AK-47 weapon and equipment from the Covid-19 response team - two motorcycles, thermoflash devices and telephones - were also returned on this occasion.

Aware of the abuses committed in large numbers by their soldiers, the authorities of South Sudan have promised to return other property looted in the DRC by their soldiers.

Recurrent violations

Jean Bamanisa, the governor of the province of Ituri, evokes recurrent incursions by the neighboring army. “  Several Congolese villages located along the border are paying the price. Under the pretext of eliminating insecurity in the area, the South Sudanese soldiers continuously violate Congolese territory.  "

"  They claim to be looking for rebels who are hiding among the refugees who have settled with us,  " said a Congolese army source in Ituri. According to the same source, it happens that when they return home, these soldiers take goats, chickens and many other belongings belonging to Congolese villagers. "  Our authorities must do everything to strengthen the military presence on this side,  " pleads Governor Bamanisa.

Newsletter Receive all international news directly in your mailbox

Follow all international news by downloading the RFI application

• Ground floor
• South Sudan

On the same subject

In the DRC, a new massacre mourns the province of Ituri

DRC: at least 39 dead in attacks by alleged ADF, most of them in Ituri

DRC: international community concerned about "unacceptable" violence in Ituri