Tinyefuza Reconciles Congolese Rebel Chiefs

Nov 09, 2001

SENIOR Presidential adviser on defence and security Lt. Gen. David Tinyefuza has reconciled Congolese rebel chiefs Prof. Ernest Wamba dia Wamba and John Tibasima Ateenyi.

By Emmy Allio SENIOR Presidential adviser on defence and security Lt. Gen. David Tinyefuza has reconciled Congolese rebel chiefs Prof. Ernest Wamba dia Wamba and John Tibasima Ateenyi. State minister for regional co-operation Col. Kahinda Otafiire attended the meeting early this week at the Nile Hotel. The rivalling leaders of RCD-Kisangani agreed to work with Jean Pierre Bemba, the leader of the Congolese Liberation Front (FLC) Under the new arrangement, FLC will control and administer the northeastern Congo territory stretching from Bunia and Bafwasende to Isiro and the Equatoria Province. Mbusa Nyamwisi, another rebel leader, will not control the Beni-Butembo sector. Under the merger agreement that created FLC in January, the territory from Kanyabayonga to Isiro and the entire Equatoria province fell under FLC. “We agreed to serve in FLC on condition that certain UPDF officers stop their support for Mbusa Nyamwisi. We think Mbusa still wants to expand beyond Beni and this will cause us problems,” a Congolese rebel said. Wamba and Tibasima said they believed Tinyefunza when he assured them that there will be no interference from any UPDF officer in Congolese affairs. Last weekend, President Yoweri Museveni met Wamba and Tibasima Ateenyi in the presence of Tinyefuza and Otafiire. Sources said Museveni informed the rebel groups that Otafiire is in charge of Congo issues and not Maj. Gen. James Kazini. Ends

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