The Forces vives du groupement de Kaniola, a civil society group in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, has denounced the AFC/M23 rebels for committing war crimes in the Walungu territory of South Kivu. In a letter to the BCNUDH, MONUSCO, and the CICR, they accused Charles Kagigi, an officer of the rebel group, of establishing a regime of terror in the region. This terror includes murder, extortion, and inhumane treatment of civilians.
According to the civil society group, several crimes were documented over four days. On September 21, in Nzibira-Luntukulu, two teachers were tortured and victims of an assassination attempt. On September 23, in Kashanja, a taximan from Kalengera, Zigashane Mashali, was extorted 30,000 Congolese francs ($13 USD) before being killed by beating. On September 24, in Kaniola, three civilians returning from a Léopards match were summarily executed.
The victims of the September 24 incident were identified as Birhalugirakulimushi Jules, Kashokwire Kulimushi Isaac, and Bizimana Ciraza. The civil society group stated that these acts, qualified as war crimes, violate the Geneva Conventions and the Rome Statute. They also reported that Colonel Kagigi, accused of these crimes, publicly vowed to "razing the Kaniola grouping".
The civil society group demands the immediate and unconditional departure of Colonel Kagigi. They call on the authorities to acknowledge the suffering inflicted on the population and warn of the consequences of these violent acts. According to Radio Okapi, this situation has led to a heightened sense of insecurity in the region.
The conflict in the DRC has led to numerous human rights abuses. According to a report, nearly 3,000 human rights violations were recorded in six months. The situation in Walungu is part of a larger pattern of violence and insecurity in the region.
The AFC/M23 rebels have been active in the DRC for several years, and their actions have been widely condemned. The group has been accused of numerous human rights abuses, including forced recruitment of children and extortion of civilians.
The international community has expressed concern over the situation in the DRC. The MONUSCO mission has been deployed in the country to protect civilians and stabilize the region. However, the situation remains volatile, and the civil society group is calling for urgent action to address the crisis.
Key points
- The civil society group documented several crimes committed by AFC/M23 rebels in Walungu, including murder, extortion, and inhumane treatment of civilians.
- Colonel Charles Kagigi is accused of establishing a regime of terror in the region and has publicly vowed to "razing the Kaniola grouping".
- The civil society group demands the immediate and unconditional departure of Colonel Kagigi and calls on the authorities to acknowledge the suffering inflicted on the population.
