Nyamwisi jolts Wamba control of Bunia

Nov 15, 2000

CHAOS, insecurity and a leadership vacuum has continued in Bunia and most parts of the Democratic Republic of Congo's northeastern Ituri region for two weeks now, reports Emmy Allio.

CHAOS, insecurity and a leadership vacuum has continued in Bunia and most parts of the Democratic Republic of Congo's northeastern Ituri region for two weeks now, reports Emmy Allio. Prof. Ernest Wamba's leadership of the Congolese Rally for Democracy Liberation Movement is under question as he has lost control of most of Bunia town to a rival group led by his former prime minister, Mbusa Nyamwisi. Uganda has insisted that it backs Wamba's leadership of RCD-ML. But sources say sections of the UPDF support Nyamwisi and John Tibasima Atenyi's bid to oust Wamba. After a coup plot by Nyamwisi and Tibasima flopped last August, Ugandan officials led by National Political Commissar James Wapakhabulo mediated and the rebels agreed to share power. Early this month, Wamba named Nyamwisi and Tibasima as vice-presidents for territorial and diplomatic affairs, respectively. But on November 3, Nyamwisi arrived in Bunia to announce a coup. He was reportedly backed by sections of Ugandan soldiers, one of whom was identified as Tinkamanyire, who went on Bunia's Radio Kandipe to announce the coup and a crack down on anti-Nyamwisi demonstrators on the streets. The UPDF rushed to crush the coup. UPDF spokesman Phinehas Katirima yesterday said, "The Government wants RCD-ML to reconcile. Mbusa has agreed to come to Kampala. But we are willing to go to any other capital city if Wamba chooses to." But Wamba's loyalists said action by sections of the UPDF against him suggests Kampala was paying lip service to peace in the region. Ends.

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