The Associated Press
Tuesday, Oct. 5, 1999; 12:33 p.m. EDT

KINSHASA, Congo –– Nearly 3,000 Congolese soldiers imprisoned on charges of deserting their posts during the central African country's civil war were freed by presidential pardon, state radio reported.

President Laurent Kabila announced the releases Monday during a visit to Lubumbashi, in eastern Katanga province, where the soldiers had been held for three months.

The pardon covers 2,860 soldiers accused of abandoning their posts because they said their superiors sympathized with the rebellion, Voice of the People reported. The station gave no further details about the prisoners.

Kabila said the soldiers would go through counseling and a special reorientation program before being reintegrated into the armed forces.

The rebels, who launched their campaign on Aug. 2 last year, accuse Kabila of mismanagement, corruption and warmongering. The fighting has drawn in six countries.

All sides have signed a cease-fire, but continue to accuse each other of violating the agreement.