DR Congo: alleged murderer of two UN observers in 2003 captured

A fugitive former rebel militia member alleged to have been involved in the murder of two United Nations observers in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) three and a half years ago has been arrested, bringing to seven number of those detained in the affair.

The UN Mission in the DRC (MONUC) together with police from Bunia, capital of Ituri province, detained Agenonga Ufoyuru, alias Kwisha, on Wednesday in the Djungu region, 80 kilometres from Bunia, the mission announced. He is now in Bunia prison, at the disposition of the judicial authorities.

“MONUC warmly appreciates the praiseworthy work of the Congolese police and judicial authorities in the arrests,” the mission said, noting that they had pursued Mr. Ufoyuru, an ex-member of the Armed Forces of the Congolese People (FAPC), for several months. .

“MONUC encourages the judicial authorities to apply the full rigour of the law to those found guilty of these odious murders.” .

The two observers – one from Jordan and the other from Malawi – were killed on 12 May 2003 at Mongbwalu, just five kilometres from where Mr. Ufoyuru was captured.