Title: Release of hostages in Mambasa: a moving reunion with their families
Introduction :
In the territory of Mambasa, in Ituri, an emotional ceremony took place recently to reunite the former hostages, who had been freed by the FARDC from the hands of the ADF rebels. Chaired by Civil Society, this meeting allowed 50 civilians to finally be reunited with their families, in a climate of joy and relief.
A long-awaited return:
These 50 hostages, who had been taken captive by Ugandan rebels mainly near Luemba, were finally able to regain their freedom. After being handed over by the Sokola 1 Grand Nord operations command to the Mambasa Civil Society, they were transported to their respective families across the territory.
A meeting full of emotions:
The meeting organized by the Mambasa Civil Society was an opportunity to celebrate the release of these hostages and to reunite them with their loved ones. According to Marie-Noëlle Anatone, civil society coordinator in Mambasa, this meeting was a moment of immense joy, testifying to the fact that these former hostages are truly inhabitants of the Mambasa territory.
The absence of guilt:
After spending nearly a month in interrogation with the FARDC staff, no indication of guilt was found among these ex-hostages. This reassuring news removes the fear of possible infiltration among them. The authorities were thus able to guarantee the safe reintegration of these individuals into their community.
Poignant testimonies:
One of the former hostages shared his difficult experience in captivity, describing life in the bush and the precarious survival conditions. Despite the ordeals experienced, he expressed his gratitude to the defense and security services for their intervention. The poignant testimonies of the ex-hostages aroused great emotion during this meeting.
Conclusion :
The reunion of the former hostages with their families in Mambasa was an emotional moment. This stage marks the end of trauma and the beginning of the reintegration process for these individuals. Thanks to the intervention of the FARDC and the organization of Civil Society, these ex-hostages can finally regain their freedom and resume their lives with their loved ones. A story of resilience and hope in a region already tested by conflict.