July 2001 Africa News Headlines

Tuesday, July 10, 2001 - Web posted at 10:07:30 AM GMT

DRC rebel leader arrested for looting

KIGALI - Rebels in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) said yesterday that they had arrested one of their commanders whose troops were seen looting after helping to crush a coup in the Central African Republic in May.

Jean-Pierre Bemba, head of the Congo Liberation Front (FLC), said the officer had been arrested for losing authority over of his men after his unit helped put down the May 28 uprising in Bangui.

Eyewitnesses described how the DRC rebel troops had looted parts of Bangui after the rebellion was crushed.

Contacted by telephone, Bemba said: "The military council will decide on the fate of this commander."

He would probably receive a prison sentence.

A 700-strong FLC battalion had been sent to Bangui to help government troops against mutineers, Bemba said.

They withdrew a week later after President Ange-Felix Patasse had fully regainedcontrol.

Meanwhile an FLC congress in Gbadolite in northern DRC made a number of recommendations on the running of DRC territories under FLC rebel control.

Bemba said the gathering had made recommendations regarding "the administrative management of the territories, especially budgets, payment of public servants' wages, and the upkeep of roads and infrastructures." - Nampa-Sapa-AFP

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