[allAfrica.com]


President Gives Rebels One Month to Surrender

UN Integrated Regional Information Networks
NEWS
November 21, 2002
Posted to the web November 21, 2002
Brazzaville
The President of the Republic of Congo, Denis Sassou-Nguesso, on Monday gave
rebels fighting in the Pool region until 18 December to surrender their arms.
"Government forces which operate in the region will have the task of opening
humanitarian corridors to facilitate the coming forward of the young strays,"
he said.
He promised the rebels their personal safety but declined to say what action he
would take if they failed to meet the deadline to surrender. The announcement
was made at a march organised by the Convention for the Restoration of Peace in
Pool, a body headed by minister for commerce, consumption and supplies,
Adelaide Moundele Ngollo.
On 20 August 2002, Sassou-Nguesso made a similar appeal to militiamen fighting
with rebel chief Federic Bitsangou, alias Pasteur Ntoumi, after which 250
fighters surrendered to government forces.
The Ninja rebels have been fighting the government since 1998. Hostilities have
intensified since March, two weeks after the Sassou-Nguesso's re-elected as
president, despite a ceasefire agreement signed in December 1999. An estimated
50,000 people have been displaced as a result.

   

  =============================================================================
   Copyright © 2002 UN Integrated Regional Information Networks. All rights
        reserved. Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com).
  =============================================================================