WESTERN PROVINCE

RUSIZI-A FDLR rebel is admitted at Gihundwe Hospital after he was shot and injured by his colleagues as he tried to defect to Rwanda from the militias’ base in the DRC.

The rebel, identified as Cpl Butura Mbanzabugabo alias Vedura (36), maintains he was shot early last week as he swam towards the UN Mission in Mwenga, South Kivu hoping to be repatriated to Rwanda.

The latter was later repatriated through Rusizi 1 border point and is currently admitted at Gihundwe hospital in Rusizi district.

Speaking to The New Times, Mbanzabugabo said that his colleagues shot him while he was swimming across a river in Gashombo village Mwenga region.

He said that they shot at him four times in the right leg but was later rescued by Congolese soldiers who were stationed nearby.

"Three men shot me because they noticed that I had plans of escaping from them and get repatriated to Rwanda,” Mbanzabugabo said as he lay on a hospital bed.

According to Mbanzabugabo, he was rescued after an exchange of fire between the rebels and the Congolese soldiers.

He added that six months back, four of his colleagues including a Lieutenant were killed by senior FDLR rebels after they were caught planning to defect to Rwanda.

He further added that has been attached to an FDLR battalion of around 700 rebels which is headed by one Major Bonny Habiyambere.

He revealed that FDLR has recruited more rebels especially teenagers between 13-19 years adding that many want to get repatriated but fear being killed by their commanders.

Mbanzabugabo joined FDLR in 1994 and was a resident of the former Mabanza commune now in Rutsiro district in the Western Province.

The FDLR is a rebel group based in the DRC and it is largely made of elements responsible for the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.

Ends