CIVIL SOCIETY CORE OF MINEMBWE
ARMED ATTACK IN THE DISPLACED PERSONS CAMP IN MIKENGE/ITOMBWE
It is around 18:00 of this Tuesday, February 21, that an incursion by maimai bishambuke took place around the camp of the displaced protected by monusco and the FARDC. For those who do not know the area, the attack targeted the steers who were returning from grazing with their herd just at the level of the primary school built on the hill separating the camp of the displaced (where the UN soldiers are based) and the FARDC military camp led by Colonel John Mwandumba. It is really at a distance of less than 300 meters, but unfortunately as always the military did not react and the attackers managed to kill one of the steers named Byishimo Mushambaro (a young man of 24 years newly married) son of Pastor Chiza one of the actors of the Banyamulenge community very active in the process of intercommunal reconciliation in Mikenge.
As a reminder, this battalion arrived in Mikenge on January 28, 2023 and two days later, on January 30, 2023, the armed maimai arrive in the camp and recover the cows without causing any other casualties fortunately.
This situation has just confirmed once again the long-maligned complicity that has never ceased to be observed between certain FARDC elements and the Maimai militiamen. Here are some recent examples :
- This January 26, 2023 A group of heavily armed maimai arrives in Mikenge around 16 hours, they meet the FARDC in view of the population and monusco before continuing their journey to mutambala.
- Just recently, on February 9, 2023 at around 9 a.m. 4 displaced Banyamulenge from Mikenge were prevented by the FARDC from Mikenge from going to Minembwe with their cows, en route they were arrested, tortured and forced to return to the camp.
- Colonel John has dismantled all the small FARDC positions that surrounded the camp of the displaced, all the soldiers have been recalled and are concentrated in the battalion headquarters.
NB We ask the new commander of the 12th brigade, General André Ehonza to use his power to replace these battalion commanders who have worked in the area for several years and who have forged good relations with the maimai, in particular Colonel John and his predecessor Colonel Ekembe who have already tarnished the image of the army.
General André, very well appreciated since his arrival in Minembwe, should also make a lot of efforts to secure the population under his jurisdiction and his property.
It is easy, moreover, for the moment to pursue these attackers, in order to discourage them and bring back these carried away cows.