Agenzia Fides

Kinshasa (Agenzia Fides) - The surrender of Bosco Ntaganda, leader of a faction of the M23, who on March 18 surrendered to the U.S. Embassy in Rwanda, asking to be transferred to the International Criminal Court (ICC) is now bringing joy but also interrogatives in North Kivu in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.
One wonders in particular why he surrendered to the United States Embassy (which did not ratify the treaty that created the ICC) and what are his relations with the authorities in Rwanda. "The fact that Bosco Ntaganda surrendered spontaneously" says to Fides Agency a humanitarian source that operates in the area - shows that he was defeated on the ground." Ntaganda was the leader of the M23 faction that wished to continue the war against the Congolese forces. The other faction of the M23, led by Makenga Sultans instead was willing to negotiate with Kinshasa.
The clash between the two sides saw the line of those in favor of the deal have the upper hand. "Prior to entering Rwanda, Ntaganda tried to settle in Masisi, but apparently met the opposition of the Hutu rebels of the FDRL which was now overwhelmed by the other faction of the M23" says our source. "Staying in North Kivu meant to be defeated because his men were less equipped than the Makenga men."
"In the face of this situation the decision to take refuge in Rwanda with his military was made.
It is likely that behind the decision to surrender to the ICC there is a diplomatic game behind the scenes orchestrated by the U.S. and Rwanda. "
"The fact that, however, a man indicted for the deaths of 800 civilians and the massive recruitment of child soldiers will no longer be free, and this is still a victory for justice and hope that it will be an example to other criminals in the DRC," concludes Fides source. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 20/03/2013)