Time runs out for rebels in eastern Congo
Ex-combatants of the FDLR, Major Furaha Amos (left) and Lt. Brej Muhiru, speak to reporters at the Kanyabayonga camp in North Kivu province of the Democratic Republic of Congo on Saturday, July 19, 2014. 292 people, including 103 ex-combatants of the FDLR and their dependents resided here at the makeshift camp set up through UN coordination in the effort to demobilize Rwandan Hutu militias who have been in the DRC since 1994.
Former fighters in formation
Ex-combatants of the FDLR in formation at the Kanyabayonga camp in North Kivu province of the DRC.
Former fighters in formation
Ex-combatants of the FDLR in formation at the Kanyabayonga camp in North Kivu Province of the DRC.
Ex-combatants of the FDLR
Ex-combatants of the FDLR sit together near logs of fire wood at the Kanyabayonga camp in North Kivu Province of the DRC.
Kezi Francois Xavier, surrendered rebel in Congo
Kezi Francois Xavier, 40-years-old
“The local Congolese villagers, they are family we have no problem with them. It’s only some of the villages that are controlled by troops. The troops go around doing bad things and accuse FDLR. We even get married to Congolese women.”
Kezi Francois Xavier, 40, has been living in Congo since 1994 and has three children with his Congolese wife. He hopes to move his family back to Rwanda.
Captain Emmanuel, surrendered fighter in Congo
Ex-combatant of the FDLR Captain Ishimwe Emmanuel poses for a photo at the Kanyabayonga Camp in North Kivu Province of the Democratic Republic of the Congo on Saturday, July 19, 2014.
15-year-old ex-rebel in Congo
“I came with the other people in the groups because I didn’t want to stay alone in the bush. I don’t have any family, they’ve been killed already. I don’t know anything about my future. It’s very dark. I don’t want to know. I’ve got nothing in Rwanda so once I go back there…the government in Rwanda is making the ones who went back suffer too much so they are deciding to come back in Congo.”
Jean Didier Ferdinand, 15, is a new recruit to the FDLR who did not take part in active fighting before his surrender. Like the other low-ranking ex-combatants he awaits news of his future at a UN camp in North Kivu, DRC.
Sergeant "King Alfred," surrendered combatant in Congo
"Most of us have been asking about our families. Up to now, the UN is not doing their duty... that's a major problem we're having in this camp. We don't have any news about them, they just keep promising they'll bring them. We look stupid because we've accepted to lay down our guns, but the UN is not doing their job properly."
Sergeant "King Alfred" poses for a photo in Kanyabayonga, North Kivu Province of the Democratic Republic of the Congo on Saturday, July 19, 2014. An ex-combatant of the FDLR from Rwanda, Sgt. "King Alfred" awaits the arrival of his wife and four children at the UN camp.
Sergeant Karambizi Pierre Celestin
Sergeant Major Karambizi Pierre Celestin, 44, poses for a photo at the Kanyabayonga Camp near a UN base in North Kivu Province of the Democratic Republic of the Congo on Saturday, July 19, 2014.
Pastor and surrendered fighter in Congo
An Adventist Pastor poses for a photo at the Kanyabayonga disarmament camp where ex-combatants of the FDLR were being temporarily stationed with their families, on Sunday, July 20, 2014 in North Kivu Province of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Kezi Francois Xavier, ex-rebel, and his family
Kezi Francois Xavier, 40-years-old
“The local Congolese villagers, they are family we have no problem with them. It’s only some of the villages that are controlled by troops. The troops go around doing bad things and accuse FDLR. We even get married to Congolese women.”
Kezi Francois Xavier, 40, has been living in Congo since 1994 and has three children with his Congolese wife. He hopes to move his family back to Rwanda.
Wife of Kezi Francoi Xavier “We were living all together without any problems, no discrimination, no problem.”
Families of ex-combatants await news of their future
Families of ex-combatants of the FDLR gather near a UN tent at the Kanyabayonga camp in North Kivu Province of The Democratic Republic of Congo on Saturday, July 19, 2014. 292 people, including 103 ex-combatants of the FDLR and their dependents resided here at the makeshift camp set up through UN coordination in the effort to demobilize Rwandan Hutu militias who have been in the DRC since 1994.
Colonel Wilson Irategeka of the FDLR rebel group
Executive Secretary Colonel Wilson Irategeka of the FDLR sits during an interview in Bwero, North Kivu Province, of the Democratic Republic of the Congo on Thursday, July 24, 2014.
Colonel Wilson Irategeka of the FDLR rebel group
Executive Secretary Colonel Wilson Irategeka of the FDLR says a prayer before beginning an interview in Bwero, North Kivu Province, of the Democratic Republic of the Congo on Thursday, July 24, 2014.
FDLR combatants in Congo
FDLR soldiers stand outside a small church in Bwero, North Kivu Province, of the Democratic Republic of the Congo on Thursday, July 24, 2014.
FDLR combatants in Congo
FDLR soldiers stand outside a small church in Bwero, North Kivu Province, of the Democratic Republic of the Congo on Thursday, July 24, 2014.
FDLR combatants in Congo
An FDLR soldier stands guard in the village of Bwero, North Kivu Province, of the Democratic Republic of the Congo on Thursday, July 24, 2014. Both Rwandan civilians and ex-combatants settled in Bwero several years before, living alongside the Congolese.
UN soldiers on patrol in the DRC
UN soldiers from India are seen before leaving on a patrol in Kanyabayonga, North Kivu Province of The Democratic Republic of Congo on Sunday, July 20, 2014. 292 people, including 103 ex-combatants of the FDLR and their dependents resided outside the base in a makeshift camp set up through UN coordination in the effort to demobilize Rwandan Hutu militias who have been in the DRC since 1994.
Congolese army, FARDC, on patrol in the DRC
FARDC (Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo) soldiers are seen on a road near Kanyabayonga, North Kivu Province, DRC on Saturday, July 19, 2014.
Congolese village near a United Nations outpost in Kanyabayonga, DRC
A view of a Congolese town on the way to Kanyabayonga, North Kivu Province, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo on Saturday, July 19, 2014.
Demobilizing armed groups in eastern Congo
A farmer emerges from the bush on the roadside in North Kivu Province of the Democratic Republic of the Congo on Thursday, July 24, 2014. The geography, landscape, and lack of infrastructure in the DRC has often been a limiting factor in demobilizing the various armed groups.
Demobilizing armed groups in eastern Congo
Children emerge from the bush with firewood, near the roadside in North Kivu Province of the Democratic Republic of the Congo on Thursday, July 24, 2014. The geography, landscape, and lack of infrastructure in the DRC has often been a factor in demobilizing the various armed groups.
Demobilizing armed groups in eastern Congo
A heavy downpour forces villagers to scramble for shelter near the town of Mweso, North Kivu Province, of the Democratic Republic of the Congo on Thursday, July 24, 2014.