{UN Mission in the DRC (MONUSCO) was disappointed after Rwandan FDLR rebels refuse to join the transit camp in Kisangani in the north-eastern DRC. }
Ray Virgilio Torres, the representative of MONUSCO in North Kivu, believes that this refusal is a clear violation of the expressed will of the fighters to end armed rebellion.
The Congolese government has chosen the site of Kisangani to welcome them into the process of disarming them.
Torres also said even more disappointed by the refusal of the FDLR to go and join the demobilization process as it was their decision.
“They are the ones who said we’re going to disarm, we will fight but not warlike, without using violence,” he said.
The UN diplomat also recalled that the military option against FDLR remains on the table.
250 Rwandan FDLR rebels who surrendered and their dependents are still waiting their repatriation to Rwanda in the camps of MONUSCO.
The Congolese government has decided to temporarily relocate to Kisangani FDLR who voluntarily laid down their arms.
These ex-combatants should then be sent to Irebu before their transfer to countries of asylum.
Meanwhile those who refuse to join Kisangani said they want to return to Rwanda as a political party.
The head of MONUSCO, Martin Kobler, is clear on this: “The mandate of MONUSCO is not political.”
It is expected that the Mini Summit of Heads of State and Government of the sub-region will address the issue of disarming the FDLR Thursday, August 14 in the Angolan capital, Luanda.
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