Thursday, May 3, 2012

Bosco 'Terminator' Ntaganda wanted over DR Congo mutiny


Renegade general Bosco Ntaganda is to be arrested for leading a recent mutiny in the east of Democratic Republic of Congo, authorities have said.
"He is implicated in this case of indiscipline, and he is wanted for that," said North Kivu governor Julien Paluku.
Thousands of people have been displaced by recent fighting in North Kivu between mutinous troops and the army.
Gen Ntaganda is also wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC).
'Wanted man' The BBC's Thomas Hubert in eastern DR Congo says the governor's statement shows a growing momentum by the authorities to arrest Gen Ntaganda - known locally as the "Terminator" - who was until last month in charge of a large contingent based in the North Kivu provincial capital, Goma.
In early April, President Joseph Kabila also called for his arrest, following the defections of up to 500 Congolese troops.
Our correspondent says that earlier this week members of the mutinous militia said that Gen Ntaganda was not responsible for their defection - blaming the government instead.
The soldiers, former rebels and loyal to Gen Ntaganda were integrated into the national army in 2009.
But both men say that the general will not be handed over to the ICC, which indicted him five years ago, for allegedly recruiting child soldiers during DR Congo's bloody five-year war.
"As a wanted man, if our units get their hands on him, he must be presented first to the Congolese judiciary to answer his actions," Mr Paluku said.
Fierce fighting between Gen Ntaganda's men and the Congolese has displaced nearly 5,000 people - with half of them crossing over into Rwanda, the UN refugee agency says.
People in and around the town of Goma blame them for persistent unrest - including looting and rape - since the formal end of DR Congo's war in 2003.

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