Among the 40,000 young men and women who would be given military training before being integrated in the national army in order to fight M23, the information confirms that there are also members of the armed groups from Nyatura, Mai Mai and FDLR.
The spokesman of FARDC Lt Gen Sylvain Ekenge, confirmed that these young men and women who are being trained are about 40,000 in total, but he refrained from revealing that there are those from armed groups such as Nyatura, Mai Mai and FDLR.
One of the FARDC soldiers, who did not want to be named for security reasons and was one of those who would have given the training at the Lwama at Kindu command center in Maniema province, He said that most of those who are being trained in that center are from Nyatura, Mai Mai and FDLR groups.
These rebels from Nyatura, Mai Mai and FDLR, are being given commando training, because they usually had basic military knowledge, unlike others who did not know anything about the military and how to fight with guns.
He said: “Many of those in the Lwama command center are from the Nyatura, Mai Mai and FDLR groups. They would be given commando training, mainly because they already have basic military knowledge.” He said.
Nyatura, Mai Mai and FDLR, are among the rebel groups that are called “Wazalendo” or patriots, after the fighting that took place in Rutshuru and Masisi, where these rebels, were fighting on the side of FARDC against M23.
Currently, the Congolese Army (FARDC), continues to provide weapons and ammunition to these rebel groups.
What the FARDC aims for, is that these rebels will continue to fight on their side in other major attacks that are being planned against M23.
Claude HATEGEKIMANA
Rwandatribune.com