DRC passes amnesty law

2008-07-13 19:39

Kinshasa - The Democratic Republic of Congo's parliament passed a law on Saturday giving amnesty for acts of war and rebellion in the east of the country, which has been torn by years of armed conflict.

"The assembly adopted the law giving amnesty to all Congolese, at home or abroad, for acts of war and rebellion committed in the provinces of Nord-Kivu and Sud-Kivu," the president of the lower house of parliament, Vital Kamerhe, said following the vote, which was broadcast live on national television.

The amnesty applies to all such acts committed since June 2003. However, it does not apply to "acts of genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity."

All Congolese armed groups in the two provinces signed a ceasefire agreement in Goma in January committing themselves to disarm their troops and dissolve their forces.

Since August 2007, Nord-Kivu has seen clashes between the army and insurgents allied to renegade Tutsi general Laurent Nkunda who claims to be protecting Congolese ethnic Tutsis.

The amnesty law was one of the main conditions for his participation in the peace process.

- AFP