« Back to Provision

Cease Fire – 2003

Ceasefire violations continued in early 2003. The Ntsiloulou rebels attacked a series of villages in the southern Republic of Congo in the regions of Pool and Bouenza. This group was led by renegade pastor Frederic Bitsangou, who had signed the 1999 ceasefire agreements but had taken up arms again. In the attacks more than 15 villagers were killed and the rebels looted and torched homes.¹ The Nsiloulous rebels attacked a military train in February, killing one civilian and one soldier.²

There was no report of a violation of the ceasefire after the first three months. This could be attributed to secret negotiations between the government and the Ntsiloulous. Both sides reached an agreement in March 2003 in which the Ntsiloulous reaffirmed their commitment to the 1999 accords and, in return, the government offered amnesty and integration of Ntsiloulous into the national armed forces.³

1. “Rebels attack villages in Republic of Congo, killing more than 15,” Associated Press, January 5, 2003.
2. “Republic of Congo rebels attack military train, killing 2,” Associated Press, February 7, 2003.
3. “UCDP Conflict Encyclopedia,” Uppsala Conflict Data Program, accessed February 23, 2012, www.ucdp.uu.se/database.