10 Rwandan rebels arrested in Democratic Republic of Congo

KAMPALA, Uganda

Ten Rwandan rebels have been arrested by the army in the Democratic Republic of Congo since Sunday, authorities said Wednesday.

The rebels were captured in the province of South Kivu after exchanging gunfire with the army.

“All the arrested have been identified as being from the Rwandan of Hutu tribe and they were captured after operations carried out by the army in the villages of Irambi and Kasheke,” said Assistant Administrator of Kalehe territory Pascal Cimana.

He said the government has been receiving reports from residents that for several months Hutu rebels have been seen in several villages. The army was informed and it launched an operation to make the arrest.

Cimana thanked the army for capturing the rebels and urged residents to report whenever they see new people in their villages.

The Rwandan Hutu rebels are under the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) armed group and have been operating from the Democratic Republic of Congo for more than 10 years.