Uganda ready to hand over M23 rebels

KAMPALA. — The Ugandan military has said it is ready to hand over former M23 rebels to the Democratic Republic of Congo government, provided that the necessary documentation is finished. Major Henry Obbo, Ugandan military deputy spokesperson, told Xinhua by telephone on Sunday that Uganda is only waiting for the DR Congo government to conclude the amnesty issues and plan for the return of the ex-rebels currently being hosted at Bihanga military barracks in the western Ugandan district of Ibanda.

“We have no problem to hand over the former M23 rebels. Our role is just being custodian and providing these people sanctuary. We have been giving them refuge and taking care of them since they were defeated and fled to Uganda,” said Obbo.

“As for the process regarding them to go back to their country, it’s a matter of the DR Congo government, their amnesty group and our foreign affairs ministry. As soon as they conclude the plans and arrangements, we shall hand them over,” he said.

The M23 rebels fled into western Uganda in November 2013 after they were defeated by the United Nations Force Intervention Brigade (FIB) in the eastern Kivu provinces.

The M23 military leader Gen. Sultani Makenga and his fighters were disarmed by the Ugandan military and have since been under it’s custody.

The rebellion forced thousands of internally displaced persons to flee into the western Ugandan district of Kisoro, where they were relocated to Rwamwaja refugee settlement camp. — Xinhua.

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