Congo government takes Bukavu peacefully

BUKAVU – Government forces recaptured this strategic city in eastern Congo yesterday, ending a one-week take over by renegade troops that triggered the biggest crisis yet to the peace process.

Thousands of residents sang, beat drums and honked horns as soldiers marched into the center of Bukavu without firing a shot early yesterday – hours after Col Jules Mutebutsi, a renegade army leader, and his force fled the city under the cover of darkness. Senior commanders of the renegade troops left Bukavu as United Nations peacekeepers began to enforce a ban on weapons in a neighborhood that is considered a renegade stronghold.”Apparently the government has taken the city peacefully and without bloodshed.This is a good sign for the peace process.We have been struggling for weeks to get it back on track,” said Alpha Sow, the head of the UN mission in South Kivu province.”The fall of Bukavu shook the peace process.”Sow said UN troops were trying to prevent looting.Shortly after government forces entered the city, civilians ransacked homes, carrying off furniture, cooking pots and food.- Nampa-APSenior commanders of the renegade troops left Bukavu as United Nations peacekeepers began to enforce a ban on weapons in a neighborhood that is considered a renegade stronghold.”Apparently the government has taken the city peacefully and without bloodshed.This is a good sign for the peace process.We have been struggling for weeks to get it back on track,” said Alpha Sow, the head of the UN mission in South Kivu province.”The fall of Bukavu shook the peace process.”Sow said UN troops were trying to prevent looting.Shortly after government forces entered the city, civilians ransacked homes, carrying off furniture, cooking pots and food.- Nampa-AP