The Association of Small Traders of Congo (APCCO) says two of its members disappeared on September 7 in Kamanyola, in South Kivu's Walungu territory. According to the association, M23 fighters arrested the two men. M23 now operates as the Front for the Refoundation of the Nation (FRN). Radio Okapi reported the case on Monday.
APCCO named the traders as Rushenge Patient and Bahati Dominique Buhendwa. They were travelling from Salamabila to Bukavu when they were allegedly stopped in Kamanyola. The association says they were carrying $265,000 to buy goods for more than 85 small traders from Salamabila and nearby areas. APCCO said the money was the traders' pooled business capital.
APCCO board chairman Bakenge Nfundiko Paulin said nobody has explained why the men were arrested or where they are being held. The association says it has had no news of them for more than 45 days. It is also concerned about the cash and the men's motorbike. "Until now, we know neither the place of detention nor where the 265,000 dollars went," Bakenge said, according to Radio Okapi.
In a letter dated October 31, APCCO asked the UN Joint Human Rights Office (BCNUDH) to intervene. It says it has also contacted several human rights groups to press for the men's release. The association wants the money and the motorbike returned. Bakenge said the two members, "detained by the FRN/M23", should be freed without delay. The reports did not include a response from the FRN.
The FRN, led by former President Joseph Kabila, was launched on October 12 to replace the AFC/M23, The Eastleigh Voice reported. On Monday, James Swan, head of the UN mission MONUSCO, arrived in Goma for talks with FRN representatives. According to the outlet, the talks focus on protecting civilians, humanitarian access and ceasefire monitoring. The Qatar-mediated Doha peace process has struggled with continued fighting and delays in releasing detainees.