Laurent Nkunda (* 1967 in the district Rutshuru, province north Kivu, democratic Republic of the Congo) is the leader of a group of rebels in the east of the democratic Republic of the Congo.

Life

Nkunda studied psychology in the Congolese Kisangani and in the Rwandese Mudende, before he followed the Rwandese Tutsi movement Rwandan Patriotic front (RPF). After control of Rwanda had taken over these 1994, Nkunda returned to its homeland and became a commander of the Rwandese supported Rally for Congolese Democracy (RCD), the group of rebels, which controlled the majority of the east of the democratic Republic of the Congo in the five-year civil war.

It accused of to be responsible as a commander for atrocities in the diamond city Kisangani in the year 2002.

After the RCD had joined the interim government, it looked first in such a way, as if Nkunda would withdraw itself. Into May 2004 it reached the city Bukavu however again to the weapons and transferred under the pretext to want to protect the ethnical group of the Banyamulenge and endangered thereby the peace process. It is to be accepted one of the former RCD commanders, who refuse, instructions from Kinshasa and is accused of to follow further Rwandese instructions from Kigali. Later he withdrew himself again into the city Goma lain north.

Evaluation

Nkunda is considered as more dangerous, extremely cruel and inconsiderate being lord, who the peace endangered and which civil war could again provoke. In the civilian population it is feared.

Related links

• BBC news of profiles: General Laurent Nkunda (in English language)
• Reuters AlertNet - Crisis of profiles: What' s going on in

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