Thousands of Burundi Soldiers captured and others encircled in highlands of Uvira are counting on the Mercy of AFC/M23 Rebels in order to return to their country alive.
Reports reaching Taarifa Investigative Desk indicate that the spokesperson of the rebels alliance Lawrence Kanyuka has hinted on the possibility of handing over Burundi Soldiers captured on the battlefield in Uvira.
“The captured Burundian soldiers will be handed over to the authorities of their country in strict compliance with human rights,” Kanyuka said on Wednesday in a written statement.
He added that the city of Uvira is completely under M23 control and called on the Congolese troops and Wazalendo militiamen still present in Uvira, “surrender in strict compliance with humanitarian standards.”
“As for the captured or still active Burundian combatants in the area, we assure that they will be treated safely and handed over to the authorities of their country in strict compliance with human rights,” Kanyuka elaborated.
According to reliable security sources in Burundi’s Cibitoke region in northwest bordering South Kivu, the special envoys — four high-ranking security officials from the Burundian government — have requested the release of several soldiers taken prisoner during recent clashes in the territories of Uvira and Fizi, including a senior commander at rank of Colonel.
They also pleaded for an establishment of a humanitarian corridor to allow several encircled Burundian troops in the High Plateaus, particularly in the Lemera groupement, to return to the Burundian border.
