ZAIRE: ETAT MAJEUR: HUTU MILITIA GROUP DESERT HEADQUARTERS

Описание: (16 Nov 1996) English/Nat

The Hutu militia's main training headquarters in eastern Zaire is now completely deserted - clear evidence the fighters, known as the Interahamwe, have fled.

With the Interahamwe loosening their grip on the camps, hundreds of thousands of Hutu refugees held as a human shield are now returning home to Rwanda.

APTV has exclusive pictures of the deserted Etat Majeur camp.

This deserted military base is clear evidence the Hutu militia, the Interahamwe, have fled.

It's not known whether the Hutus themselves burnt these vehicles as they fled, or if it was done by Tutsi rebels who pounded the camp for two days.

For nearly two years, this camp, situated close to Mugunga refugee camp, was the main headquarters of the Interahamwe.

It was here that the Interahamwe trained Hutus for a planned attack on Rwanda.

Cabinets full of letters have been spilled out over the ground. This paper has a Zairian government letterhead.

It is a page from a military training manual explaining camouflage techniques.

The Interahamwe are believed to have fled to Masisi, a town situated in the hills some 90 kms north of Goma.

This morning, gunfire could still be heard in the nearby hills.

Now that the Interahamwe have released their two-year vice-like grip on the refugees, they are free to return to Rwanda.

A human wave of some 200-thousand people have already crossed the border to Gisenyi.

Another 350-thousand are believed to be trudging towards the border.

Carrying all the possessions they could carry, men, women and children packed the roads.

Many hadn't eaten for days and fighting broke out for scraps of food.

Fearing reprisals for the Hutu-massacre of Rwandan Tutsis in 1994, these Hutu refugees fled Rwanda to Zaire two years ago.

Despite assurances of their safety by both the Tutsi-ruling government in Rwanda and aid agencies, the Interahamwe prevented the Hutus from returning home.

For two years, they were used as a human shield.

The Interahamwe taxed them to buy weapons. Those who tried to leave were lynched.

But now they are free to return.

Despite the fears of reprisals in Rwanda, many believe they will be better off there than in eastern Zaire, where there is little food or water and where cholera is already starting to spread.

The Hutu refugees don't know what will happen when they return home, but this Rwandan teacher offered words of hope.

SOUNDBITE:
Now that the refugees have come in all our problems will be solved, we will try to help one another to build our country with them.
SUPERCAPTION: Mazimpaka Emmanuel, 28-year-old teacher in primary school in Gisenyi

In Gisenyi, food was distributed to the returning refugees, some of whom have been walking for miles.

Following years of inter-tribal fighting between Tutsis and Hutus, the world is waiting to see if it will be possible for them to live together in peace.

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