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Congo-Brazzaville Repatriating former FAZ members |
PEACE
They arrived in Congo-Brazzaville three years ago. Everything is now ready
for their repatriation
but there are hesitations. Human rights problems
still exist in neighbouring Kinshasa
Can misunderstandings between Congo-Brazza and Congo RDC finally be resolved? There’s every indication that they can. Witness the visit to Brazzaville on 9 March of Théophile Ossembe Ila Katchongo, facilitator for repatriating former Zairian Armed Forces (i.e. FAZ — Mobutu’s armed forces) members. His objective was to persuade the refugees in Brazzaville to return home. «The country needs them. It’s on them that the hopes of the new regime are pinned». And he added that the new regime pleads for pardon and national reconciliation.
After Lauent-Désiré Kabila seized power on 17 May 1997, former FAZ and former elements of Mobutu’s Presidential Guard crossed the River Congo with arms and baggage. This gave a chance to Denis Sassou Nguesso in his struggle with Pascal Lissouba. He recruited large numbers into the ranks of his Cobra militia. It wasn’t long before a climate of mistrust sprang up between Brazzaville and Kinshasa. Matters were further embittered by the new civil war in Congo RDC and the fresh outbreak of war in the south of Congo-Brazza. The Ninja guerrillas of Bernard Kolelas in their headlong flight across The Pool (i.e. Stanleypool) took refuge in Congo RDC to join Kabila’s forces. Hence, the tension between the two neighbours accusing each other of supporting opposing armed bands.
To put an end to these suspicions, the new Congo RDC regime is pushing for the repatriation of former FAZ members. «Now we are working in conjunction with Brazzaville. We want good neighbourly relations», explains Mr Théophile Ossembe Ila Katonga.
Caution still needed
Already more than 400 ex-FAZ volunteers have registered with the Kinshasa Embassy in Brazzaville. However, only 175 of these made up the first group to be repatriated. The others wait to see how these will be treated. Many are first of all demanding a general amnesty. According to the facilitators: «Many are still afraid. But there will be no witch-hunt». Moreover, some of Mobutu’s oldest supporters, such as General Likulia Bolongo, now Minister for Construction, have returned without being harassed in any way.
Quite apart from the ex-FAZ members based in Brazzaville, it’s estimated that there are more than 500 other individuals scattered throughout Congo-Brazza, mostly in towns such as Nkayi, Dolisie and Pointe-Noire etc. In these places, some have found profitable openings in small businesses or farming. On he other hand, others are incorporated into the ranks of Sassou’s Congolese armed forces. This doesn’t help the work of the facilitator, even if he profits from the cooperation of the UNCR.
Before Laurent-Désiré Kabila’s assassination on 16 January, the governments of Congo RDC and Congo Brazza had decided to organise mixed patrols all along their common frontiers. The two armies had to patrol the Rivers Congo and Oubangui from Kinshasa to Buburu, 800 km north of Kinshasa. But nothing had been done. With the arrival of Kabila Jnr as Congo RDC‘s President, the project has been re-examined. Military experts from both countries want the patrols to become a reality in the next few days, and also want to assure the safety of boats travelling up and down the two rivers, which are situated in areas of sporadic fighting between Kinshasa’s army and Bemba’s rebels.
The repatriation of the ex-FAZ members of Congo Brazza has been imitated by the refugees in Bangui declaring they wished to return home. The Kinshasa authorities have geared themselves up to welcome their «prodigal sons». «Reception centres have already been established. First of all, the returnees are screened, then re-integrated into the regular armed forces», declares Mr Théophile Ila Katchonga.
It remains to be seen if Kabila Jnr. will succeed where his father failed. One only hopes that the spectre of the explosion of the whole area so greatly feared will progressively fade away.
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