09/28/2004

Security was a paramount concern of the military and civilian authorities. The local population has expressed its frustration about the delays in the return of other Congolese living as refugees abroad. They commented about the complete lack of assistance provided to the thousands who have come back spontaneously since early this year, while this group was receiving such a great deal of attention. Stones and other material that were placed throughout the road from the border to the city, Uvira, were soon after removed in order to allow the convoy to depart. Meanwhile the trucks were orderly loaded.