Mande, Kyakabale Launch Rebel Group In DR Congo

Oct 22, 2001

RENEGADE UPDF officers have formed a rebel group, the People’s Redemption Army (PRA), which is training and camped in the Rwanda-controlled part of eastern DR Congo, sources said yesterday.

By Emmy Allio RENEGADE UPDF officers have formed a rebel group, the People’s Redemption Army (PRA), which is training and camped in the Rwanda-controlled part of eastern DR Congo, sources said yesterday. PRA is led by colonels Anthony Kyakabale and Samson Mande who fled to Rwanda earlier this year and declared war on Kampala. Meanwhile, sources said the Rwandan Patriotic Army and their Congolese allies, the RCD-Goma rebels, over the weekend captured the northeastern town of Kanyabayonga from Uganda-backed DR Congo rebels. The area is said to be near PRA training grounds and areas west of Rwenzori Mountains where the ADF rebels operate. Kanyabayonga was held by the UPDF until last June when Major Nsobya’s 71st battalion withdrew to Beni. Other Congolese towns vacated by UPDF were Bafwasende, Butembo, Buta, Gemena, Basankusu, Gbadolite, Isiro, Libenge and Lisala. Sources from Butembo said yesterday the capture of the town on Saturday followed a three-day siege by the Rwandan army. “Kanyabayonga has changed hands to the Rwandans without a fight,” said a Congolese source in Butembo, quoting fleeing civilians. Army Commander Lt. Gen. Jeje Odongo said, “I received these reports on Sunday but I have not verified them.” “We are watching the situation. The issues in Congo need a Congolese solution,” he said. Rwanda’s envoy to Uganda Ben Rutsinga said, “I do not know these things. Try Kigali.” Senior Ugandan security sources said the Rwandans said Kanyabayonga was controlled by the Mai Mai whom they accuse of collaborating with Interahamwe militias who are fighting the Kigali government. “Whatever the reasons, the Rwandan (action) is a violation of the Lusaka agreement. We hope it is not a pretext to link ADF rebels with those of Mande and Kyakabale,” the source said. The source from Butembo said absolute anarchy has prevailed for months in Kanyabayonga, Butembo and Beni since sections of the Ugandan military chose to back Mbusa Nyamwisi in that area against Jean Pierre Bemba’s Congolese Liberation Front (FLC). Ends

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