Date: Fri, 17 Nov 2000 15:44:38 +0300 (BEAUT)
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Subject: DRC: Tension easing in Bunia  [2001117]
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DRC: Tension easing in Bunia 

NAIROBI, 17 November (IRIN) - The situation in the northeastern DRC town
of Bunia eased on Friday after the commander of a militia group opposed to
local leader Professor Ernest Wamba dia Wamba was reportedly arrested. 

A spokesman for the governing Rassemblement congolais pour la
democratie-Mouvement de liberation (RCD-ML) told IRIN that Ugandan army
soldiers arrested Claude Tiza, the commander of the Usalama militia group
loyal to Wamba's rival and former deputy, Mbusa Nyamwisi. 

"The coup is over," spokesman Jean-Ernest Louis Kayiviro said. "All
Usalama forces will be dispersed." Heavy fighting between opposing forces
loyal to Wamba and Nyamwisi resumed this week after a brief lull following
an attempt the previous week to oust Wamba. According to Kayiviro, this
week's fighting claimed 40 lives. He said the threat of more clashes was
now "dwindling" and "tension is easing". 

A meeting between the rivals was now expected to go ahead in Kampala,
brokered by the Ugandan authorities. "Once we are sure there is security
for the population, Wamba will send a delegation there," Kayiviro said. 

[ENDS]

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