Tanzanian hails DR Congo gov't for release of imams

Tanzania's ambassador to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) Antony Cheche on Thursday hailed the DR Congo government for the release of six Tanzanian imams who were abducted by rebels last month in the east of the country.

The muslim preachers were abducted by suspected members of the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) rebels.

"This heroic and comforting act demonstrates the excellence of close ties between President Mirosho Jakaya Kikwete of Tanzania and his DR Congo counterpart Joseph Kabila," the Tanzanian diplomat said when he spoke in Goma, eastern DR Congo, where he had gone to receive his fellow citizens who had been released by their kidnappers.

The six men said they were not mistreated by their kidnappers other than being deprived of freedom, being exposed to bad weather and staying away from their close family members for close to 30 days.

The Tanzanian diplomat said the happy ending to the abduction saga of the six imams should be used to consolidate relations between the two countries.

Cheche hailed the courage of the DR Congo security forces who managed to rescue the six imams, and said the incident will not harm ties between Tanzania and DR Congo.

The six imams from Zanzibar who were released without any ransom being paid, said their kidnappers were young men aged between 16 to 19 years, but who were being guided by more older people. No traces of torture were visible on their bodies. Endit