DRC presidential envoy promises security for Rwandans in Goma

WESTERN PROVINCE RUBAVU — The Democratic Republic of Congo’s Presidential Special Envoy, Serephin Ngweje, has said that his government will do everything possible to ensure security for Rwandans that cross to their north Kivu capital Goma.Speaking to The New Times recently, Ngweje said that the DRC government had received numerous reports of the security threats subjected to Rwandans in Goma and that his government would ‘soon do its best to resolve the issue’.The promise comes days after a recent Joint Verification mechanism (JVM) meeting that brought together delegates from both countries to discuss the current tension between the two countries. “The current tension between the two countries can be resolved through maximum cooperation and dialogue. Through the Joint verification Mechanism meeting like the one recently held In Gisenyi, we try to listen to claims from both parties and we settle down to find solutions with the help of the mediators such as the United Nations and the US government,” he said. Many Rwandans on business transactions have reportedly on different occasions been arrested, tortured and detained in safe houses by Congolese soldiers in Goma since July 2007, on allegations of connections with rebel leader Laurent Nkunda. In August, the governors of the Rwandan western province Penelope Kantarama and her counterpart Fera Rutayikirwa the vice mayor of the North Kivu Province, signed an agreement in Gisenyi town under which the two leaders committed to work closely to resolve security threats between the two provinces. They especially agreed to prevent illegal arrests and torture of Rwandans who cross the border to the neighboring Goma.As a result of the agreement the north Kivu provincial authorities in September released 12 Rwandan citizens who had been held in Goma town. More 35 Rwandans were also released on December 10. The DRC’s North Kivu provincial officer for security Charles Karuwayi, who represented the DRC government at the hand over function also promised that his province would do every thing possible to stop what he described as illegal and awful practice, referring to the arrests. Rubavu mayor, Ramadan Baringayabo had earlier on advised citizens especially Gisenyi residents to cut visits to the neighboring Goma to avoid such incidents. Ends