Armed DRC soldiers seized at Kigoma port

Kigoma. A group of 20 heavily armed soldiers from  the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) travelling by boat,  docked at Kigoma Port on the shores of Lake Tanganyika unannounced  on Saturday, to the amazement of  Tanzania People’s  Defence Forces (TPDF)  officers and  regional  administration officials.The soldiers said their mission was to pursue rebels whom they claimed were undergoing  medical treatment in Kigoma, according to information availed to them.

Incredibly,  neither TPDF nor any other security organ intercepted the group throughout the journey. It is only shortly after it had docked next to a Police Force vessel upon arrival,  that the soldiers were detained.The 24 KJ, Commander, Lt Col Emanuel Mcheri,  told reporters yesterday that the DRC  were detained because they had entered Tanzania without following proper procedures.

He  further explained that  it was forbidden for armed soldiers of one country  to enter another  unannounced, as  the action could cause  a war between them. Lt Col Mcheri  said the DRC soldiers were under the command of Lt Col Mohamed Mustafa from 42 Infantry section which has a base in Eastern DRC.

“They told us during interrogation that they were pursuing rebels whom they were told were in Kigoma for  medical treatment,” he said,  adding:

"But they have crossed the border without following procedures. We might as well regard this as an invasion... they travelled all the way from the border to Kigoma Port without notifying us. We are detaining them until we get further information and directives from above.”

He said the soldiers were armed with various weapons,  including 17 sub machine guns (SMGs), light machine guns (LMGs), pistols, rocket propelled grenades, (RPGs) a hand grenade and three surface-to- air missiles used for downing  planes.

Lt Col Mcheri  further explained:  "They also  had  a large consignment of rounds of ammunition. When we inspected them and their boat,  we impounded 32 SMG magazines with a total of 960 bullets. They also had 360 bullets for the LMGs…they had a box full of ammunition.”

He attributed failure to detect soldiers to expansive Tanzania borders, but
stressed that  TPDF was very keen on securing them against intrusion by foreign forces.


"Kigoma’s  borders with neighbouring countries are very extensive and therefore securing them against intrusion threat  poses a major challenge. But I want to assure you that we are very keen, alert and ready to respond to any threats to our country at any time,” he said.

Of the 20 detained soldiers, four  are  officers and 11 infantry soldiers. In the group too is a civilian reported to be a boat mechanic.Unconfirmed reports said that the Regional Peace and Security Committee met at the Regional Commissioner’s office immediately after the intrusion by DRC soldiers was reported. However, no hints on what was discussed had emerged.

The soldiers are reportedly being held at Bangwe prison and there are unconfirmed reports that they might be charged for entering the country illegally.On November 3, this year, a group f nine people, believed to be rebels fighting the  DRC government in the eastern parts of the country, arrived in Kigoma through Mtanga village.

They surrendered  at a  TPDF camp at the village and were detained. Most of them were injured and were rushed to Kigoma Regional Hospital, Maweni, where they have been admitted for treatment.

Reports from the hospital said that one of them had died while receiving treatment.