Government, rebels exchange prisoners

The government of the Republic of Congo (ROC) and Ninja rebels have held an exchange of prisoners as part of their agreement to restore peace in the crisis-torn Pool Region. A total of 39 prisoners were freed on Wednesday, 21 Ninja rebels and 16 government soldiers along with two women, both of whom had given birth during their captivity which lasted more than a year. The exchange was facilitated by the International Committee of the Red Cross. The government and the rebel Conseil national de transition (CNR), led by the Rev Frederic Bitsangou, alias Pasteur Ntoumi, agreed on 17 March to restore peace in the region. The Ninja rebel leader said he would end hostilities and disarm his fighters, whilst the government said it would guarantee an amnesty offered to the rebels and would reintegrate them into the national army. Hostilities between the government and rebels erupted in the Pool region in late March 2002. Minister of State Isidore Mvouba said during the exchange ceremony that the peace process was now underway. Speaking on behalf of the Ninja rebel leader, Morlam Petit said that the action "proved that on our side we are absolutely committed to reestablishing a lasting peace in the Pool, just as in other regions".