DRC: Correspondent for French news agency goes into hiding

ALERT - DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO

20 July 2004

Correspondent for French news agency goes into hiding

SOURCE: Journaliste en danger (JED), Kinshasa

(JED/IFEX) - On 18 July 2004, Deo Namujimbo, a Goma-based correspondent for
the international news agency Syfia, based in Montpellier, France, was
forced to evacuate his family to Bukavu and go into hiding to "escape from
soldiers who [were] searching for him". The soldiers are reportedly aligned
with rebel General Laurent Nkunda and are led by a commander known only as
"Claude". Goma is the main city in North Kivu province, eastern Democratic
Republic of Congo.

On 15 July, Namujimbo published an article in the online edition of "Syfia
Grands Lacs" entitled, "Rebels impose reign of terror in Minova". Minova is
a village located 50 km south of Goma where General Nkunda and his men have
entrenched themselves after forces loyal to the government retook control of
the city of Bukavu in recent fighting.

In his article, Namujimbo reported that, "For the past month and a half, the
people of Minova [. . .] have lived in terror, harassed by General Laurent
Nkunda's men, who are now based in the region. Extortion and rape have
become common. Everyone hides in the hills at night." The journalist's
report was picked up by several Kinshasa-based newspapers, notably appearing
in the 17 July edition of the daily "Le Potentiel".

Contacted by JED representatives in Goma, neighbours of Namujimbo said that
since 16 July, soldiers who are reportedly close to Nkunda have been
questioning local residents about "a journalist from the Mushi tribe who
recently moved into the neighbourhood." Several area youths also told JED
representatives that during the night of 17 July, the same soldiers were
seen patrolling the neighbourhood streets until about 3:00 a.m. (local
time), and that they had reportedly been asking local residents when they
expected the journalist to return home.

For further information, contact D. M'Baya Tshimanga, president, Journaliste
en danger (JED), B.P. 633 Kinshasa 1, Democratic Republic of Congo, tel:
+243 99 29 323/+243 81513 05 85, fax: +243 88 01 625, e-mail:
[email protected], [email protected], Internet:
http://www.jed-afcentre.org

The information contained in this alert is the sole responsibility of JED.
In citing this material for broadcast or publication, please credit JED.
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