As Zaïre's rebels capture mineral-rich lands, mining companies may have to pay up
The rebels keep advancing. One of their techniques is to announce the capture of a town before they attack it, causing panic and disorder among their enemies, as well as the residents. On 4 December, the Alliance des Forces Démocratiques de Libération du Congo-Zaïre (AFDL, AC Vol 37 No 23) said it had taken Kindu, on the west bank of the Zaïre River, upstream of Kisangani. Government soldiers had already looted the town and its better-off inhabitants (including the Lebanese traders) had moved out. The Kinshasa authorities and the International Committee of the Red Cross both said Kindu was still in government hands; it remained so as Africa Confidential went to press.
End of preview - This article contains approximately 1360 words.
