Long – The long-awaited transfer of the defeated Congolese soldier is protected by a UN base in Goma controlled by the M23 in eastern Congo, with up to 130 troops leaving the city this morning.
“The first batch of 130 soldiers remaining at 5:19 this morning” is the source of Goma Airport, where at least 1,000 FARDC units sought evacuation at Monusco base when M23 took Goma in late January.
The exercise is coordinated by the Red Cross, along with representatives of the Congo’s UN peacekeeping forces, AFC/M23, Kinshasa and Munusco.
Our sources say the retreating fleet will run north and leave the territory holding the M23 via Rubero.
They are expected to head to Kinshasa, the capital of the war-torn Dr. Congo.
The exercise has been postponed at least twice in recent months, threatening to exacerbate tensions.
The development took place one day after SAMIDRC, a prokinshasa unit deployed by the SADC Regional Bloc, began withdrawing from Goma one day later.
However, in contrast to the SADC troops, Congolese soldiers are retreating without weapons seized by the AFC/M23.
Prior to the exercise, screening efforts were made by teams involved with representatives of M23s to identify surrendered FADRC units within the Monusco camp and their weapons.
Thousands of other defeated FARDC forces and allied militia surrendered to the M23, many opting to join the rebels.
