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                  Congolese Rebels Escape From Camp in Uganda

   by VOA News

   The head of Congo's ex-rebel M23 group says an unknown number of
   fighters have escaped from a military camp in Uganda, just before they
   were to be repatriated.

   Civilian head of M23, Bertrand Bisimwa, told reporters Tuesday the
   fighters fled as trucks arrived at the Bihanga military camp to take
   them to an airbase, where they would be airlifted to the DRC. He said
   some of the fighters were shot and wounded during their escape.

   Ugandan troops were sent out to track down the escaped rebels. An
   Ugandan military spokesman said some escapees are trying to hide at a
   nearby refugee camp.

   The DRC has given amnesty to fighters who agree not to take part in
   future insurrections. Fighters wanted for war crimes will not get
   amnesty.

   But Bisimwa said the M23 fighters would face prosecution or be killed
   if they returned to Congo because they have no protection there.

   Uganda's military says about 120 M23 fighters out of 1,300 have agreed
   to return to Congo.

   M23 consists of fighters who joined the Congolese army in a 2009 peace
   deal but later defected after complaining of poor treatment.

   Congo has accused neighboring Rwanda and Uganda of supporting M23, an
   allegation both countries deny.

   Some information for this report comes from AP, AFP and Reuters.
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   [1]http://www.voanews.com/content/congolese-rebels-escape-in-uganda/256
   1451.html

References

   1. http://www.voanews.com/content/congolese-rebels-escape-in-uganda/2561451.html