M23 Combatants Commit Suicide M23 fighters at Entebbe Airbase before being repatriated to DRC on Tuesday At least two demobilised M23 combatants have cut their lives short following the forceful repatriation of the movement’s members by Uganda security forces to the Democratic Republic of Congo where they feared harassment and possible execution. Uganda on Tuesday handed over 120 M23 fighters who were stationed at Bihanga military training camp to DRC authorities as part of Uganda’s commitment to the 2013 Nairobi Declarations. Army spokesperson, Lt Col Paddy Ankunda said over 1,000 M23 members escaped to the hills overlooking Bihanga in protest against the repatriation. Chimpreports now understands that two fighters decided to kill themselves near Bihanga instead of being tortured at military intelligence facilities in DRC. M23 Spokesperson, Amani Kabasha, said the movement sympathises with the families of the deceased. “The M23’s Movement Directorate hereby presents its condolences to the families and loved ones of its two veterans who have voluntarily ended their lives this Wednesday, December 17th, 2014, as a sign of protest of the forced repatriation operation,” he said in a brief statement to Chimpreports. Uganda State Foreign Affairs Minister, Henry Okello Oryem said, “We are doing this in a transparent manner and it is an obligation for both the Uganda and DRC governments to ensure that these fighters are handled in accordance with international rules and obligations.” President Joseph Kabila’s representative Francois Mwamba said the handing over of M23 fighters is a big step towards peace and stability in the region. “Signing this protocol is a major step that both governments have taken in implementing the Nairobi agreement as one of the ways of contributing to peace and security in the whole region. It has shown the will of both leaders in creating stability,” Mwamba noted. However, in an interview with this investigative website, some of the former M23 fighters expressed mixed feelings on going back home, saying some of their colleagues escaped to different areas for fear of being executed in DRC. “I want to return home and retire safely but I am not sure whether we are safe. Otherwise that’s why some of our colleagues escaped thinking something wrong could happen to them when they return to DRC. I hope they will come back when they hear we are safe back in our homes in DRC,” said one of the fighters. (Photo: Kenneth Kazibwe/ChimpReports)
Posted on: Thu, 18 Dec 2014 18:11:35 +0000
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