L-R Coparal Molanga Jean Marie Eric and Sergeant Omar Muntu Jean were arrested for illegally entering Rwanda
Rwanda has handed over two FARDC soldiers after they trespassed into its territory of Rugerero and Gisenyi sectors, Rubavu district in West province.
Coparal Molanga Jean Marie Eric and Sergeant Omar Muntu Jean were arrested on the evening of November 12 and December 25, 2015 respectively.
Congolese soldiers are still defying border demarcations and illegally crossing over into Rwanda.
The two soldiers in question, same as many others who have been arrested before, were apprehended while drunk and dressed in civilian clothes.
They consciously left their posts and went drinking from the neighboring country.
Residents of sectors bordering Goma have also been complaining about the looting of their crops and livestock by the Congolese soldiers.
Sometimes these residents cross to the DRC army camps and claim back their cows, which they get back only when they accept to pay a significant amount of money.
Meanwhile, Coparal Molanga Jean Marie Eric and Sergeant Omar Muntu Jean were handed over to the East Africa Joint Verification Mechanism (EJVM) which carries out regular inspection of DRC borders with its neighboring countries.
EJVM officers sign extradition documents
While receiving the two FARDC soldiers in Rubavu this morning, Col Fulbert Okandza, the commander of EJVM said, “we commend Rwanda for it solves peacefully the border issues.”
The two soldier claimed they dont know the border demarcations. “We were confused by the borders which are not well demarcated here,” said Omar Muntu.
Col Fulbert Okandza warned, “FARDC should consider identifying their own borders. Otherwise how can you pretend to protect a country whose borders you say you don’t know?”
Lt Col James Cassius, the respresentatitve of Rwandan in EJVM said Rwanda will continue collborating with the operation to esnure border issues are resolved amaicably.
So far, 20 FARDC soldiers, including a commander, have abeen arrested for crossing into Rwanda and handded over to DRC.
