DRC Supreme Defense Council announces the End of FDLR repatriation

The Congolese authorities have announced the end of the repatriation of Rwandan FDLR combatants stationed for four years in camps in the DRC, and the closure of all transit camps.

“The Supreme Defense Council informs national and international community [of] the end of the repatriation operation of FDLR combatants and their dependents stationed for four years in Kisangani, Kanyabayonga and Walungu”, announced the Radio-Television National du Congo

“A total of 1,609 Rwandan citizens have been repatriated including 516 combatants, 228 wives and 865 children”, according to the information released after a meeting of the High Council of Defense led by President Joseph Kabila.

“237 combatants disarmed by the FARDC (Congolese army) (…) were repatriated,” it adds.

The Supreme Defense Council “officially declares the end of this operation and declares at the same time the final closure of all the transit camps used for the cantonment of the FDLR combatants” in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.