FARDC hands over forty former ADF hostages to Beni civil society
The FARDC handed over about forty civilians who were former ADF hostages on Tuesday, August 27 in Beni, to local civil society organizations. Among these former hostages are 24 children and 16 women who were released during clashes with ADF rebels in several localities in the Beni territory.
There are also six Mai-Mai fighters who surrendered to the FARDC-UPDF coalition forces.
Colonel Mak Hazukayi, responsible for communication and awareness raising for the Sokola 1 Grand Nord operational sector, asks civil society to support these former hostages in their community reintegration:
“These are people who were kidnapped for some and others were already in the ranks of the ADF as dependents. And, they were extracted by the coalition forces six months ago. You know that the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo and the UPDF are regular armies that have subscribed to all resolutions relating to human rights. It is in this capacity that we made this gesture.”
He reminds the population that the best way to help the army defeat the enemy is to banish popular vengeance.
“Because the news that reaches us from the field informs us that there are fighters who want to surrender but who are afraid of popular vengeance. And their leaders are taking this opportunity to tell them to be careful, if you go out, if it is not the army that kills you, it is the population that will take care of you through popular justice ,” added Colonel Mak Hazukayi.
