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| East/Subsaharan Africa |
| Gunmen ’withdraw from DR Congo town’ |
| 2003-06-24 |
| The leader of the main militia in the war-torn town of Bunia in the Democratic Republic of Congo has said his troops have withdrawn ahead of a deadline to leave. "So, go home, Frenchies! Don't hang around. Everything will be fine from now on (*snigger*)" A French-led international peacekeeping force has given all armed groups until 1100 local time on Tuesday to pull out of the town or be forcibly disarmed. The north-eastern town has been wracked by fighting between rival tribal factions, which has killed about 500 civilians in the past two months. A BBC correspondent in Bunia says many families are talking about returning to their homes, but are not sure if the few hundred peacekeeping troops can ensure their security. At least the French forces can ensure their own safety, unlike the usual UN presence. There are also reports that residents in at least one neighbourhood have fled, fearing revenge attacks from a rival militia. Thomas Lubanga, the leader of the Union of Congolese Patriots (UPC) told Reuters: "All our soldiers have left the town, apart from our bodyguards." But some residents said gunmen dressed in civilian clothing remain in the town. Bunia, the capital of the gold-rich Ituri province, came under the administration of the UPC following the Ugandan pull-out in early May. UPC gunmen are drawn from the Hema ethnic group, which has been fighting the rival Lendu militia. On Monday, Hema residents in a northern neighbourhood fled to a UN compound in the centre of town, fearing Lendu gunmen will attack them once the UPC has withdrawn. |
| Posted by:Bulldog |