Last modification: 23/01/09
 
Conflict in North Kivu
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Rwandan and Congolese authorities have created a joint mission to rid the DR Congo's eastern province of North Kivu of its Hutu rebels once and for all. Meanwhile, Laurent Nkunda's rebel Tutsi gang has been dispersed. FRANCE 24 reports.
The rebellion led by former General Laurent Nkunda has been scuppered by the rebel's former Tutsi allies, who turned against him when he least expected. The Congolese rebel was nabbed by the Rwandan army when escaping into Rwanda from his Congo HQ, in DR Congo’s mountainous region of northern Tivu. The arrest was part and parcel of a key deal agreed between DR Congo and Rwanda in December, 2008, to act in unison to flush out all rebels from the North Kivu region of eastern DR Congo - first and foremost the Hutus (FDLR). The deal was acted upon in mid-January, 2009, when over 3,500 Rwandan troops poured across the border into DR Congo. Rwanda acted fast in arresting Nkunda, who is wanted by Congolese authorities for numerous crimes committed during the conflict. The local chieftain, who is in Rwanda awaiting extradition to DR Congo, is also the target of an international arrest warrant.

 FACT FILE: the conflict in North Kivu

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  • France24.com
    FRANCE 24 correspondent Arnaud Zajtman (rear seat) and camera operator Marlene Rabaud (hanging out of window) at work in eastern Congo. Picture by Marcus Bleasdale.
  • North Kivu sits on the border between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda
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