Four Congolese soldiers taking part in a five week training programme in Belgium have vanished from the army camp they were staying at, it emerged on Monday. | "One minute they wuz right here, then we turned around and, poof, they wuz gone!" |
The four were part of a 280 strong contingent of troops from the Democratic Republic of Congo taking part in the training operation. Sources close to the Belgian Defence Ministry on Sunday called on the four to return to their barracks. It is not yet clear how or why the men disappeared but a number of experts have speculated that they may be trying to avoid returning home and are seeking to live permanently in Europe. | Stay in Europe or go back to the Congo, boy, that's a tough choice. |
All four soldiers have family either in Belgium or in other European countries. | Anyone thing of looking for them there? Hello? |
The disappearances led the authorities in charge of the training exercise to cancel visits to the remaining troops by family members living in Europe. The Congolese troops are set to return home on 20 October. |