Bemba “defence minister” arrested

A “defence minister” in the Front pour la liberation du Congo (FLC), Colonel Gideon Kibonge, is being detained in connection with the recent fighting in Beni, the semi-official Ugandan ‘New Vision’ newspaper quoted sources as saying. However an aide to FLC leader Jean-Pierre Bemba could neither confirm nor deny the report. “I cannot say anything about Kibonge,” he told IRIN on Thursday. “The matter is complicated.” According to the ‘New Vision’, Kibonge was arrested last week for “performing poorly” against a rival FLC official, Mbusa Nyamwisi, whose militia resisted disarmament by FLC soldiers loyal to Bemba. FLC officials reportedly accused Kibonge of behaving in “a manner that showed he sided with Mbusa militia”, the paper said. On Tuesday, Human Rights Watch (HRW) said in a statement that the week-long violent clashes in Beni had disrupted civilian life, forcing residents to hide in their homes, and bringing schools, markets, and other activities to a standstill. It quoted an eyewitness who fled Beni on Monday as saying that the population was fleeing to the surrounding countryside following the arrival of troop reinforcements for Bemba’s faction. The witness said 17 people were killed in the market area alone, while others were hit by stray bullets as they fled. News reports said at least 50 people died in the fighting which was halted after the Ugandan army redeployed in Beni. Independent sources told IRIN on Thursday that Kibonge was a member of the ex-FAZ (former Zairean army) who trained at military schools in Belgium, Israel and Egypt and was said to be fluent in eight languages. Bemba apparently “wanted to get rid of him” because of his knowledge and experience. The sources said Kibonge may have defected to the Nyamwisi camp. He has reportedly been deported to Uganda and is being detained at Kasese.