A TRADITIONAL CHIEF (MWAMI) IN THE COLLIMATORS OF THE RCD-GOMA AGAIN
Last Saturday 31 March, 2001, the traditional chief of the Bafuliru ethnic group, Mwami NDARE SIMBA, was summoned to report to the office of the Governor of the province of South-Kivu/Congo. DR., Mr. Norbert Basengezi Katintima.
The traditional chief was summoned to explain himself to a number of military officers on an incident of abductio, by a rival militia group known as Mai-mai, of Mr. Olivier, a commander of a "local defence" unit based in Kaziba/Walungu. The "local defence" movement consists of villages-based para-military groups created by the rebel movement in control of the South-Kivu region of the Congo. DR (RCD) for allegedly assuring security within rural areas.
As a matter of facts, the harassment of Mwami NDARE seems to have started on the march 29th, 2001, when the General Secretary of the rebel movement RCD was visiting Uvira, the second urban centre of the South-Kivu. During this visit to which he was associated, Mwami NDARE was accused by a local military commander of being in intelligence with the militia Mai-mai. The very same military commander is reported to have made death threats against the Mwami. The Mwami reported the incident to the highest authorities of the RCD, who unfortunately did not do anything about it.
Meantime, in provision to the visit of eastern part of the Congo by Mr. Kamitule Masire, the OAU official facilitator of the inter-Congolese dialogue, different delegations were being constituted. Despite of being the President of the College of the traditional chiefs (Bamis) of South-Kivu, Mwami NDARE was omitted from the list of delegates to meet the former President of Botswana. Instead the Secretary of the College was chosen as the delegate.
On March 31, 2001 then, Mr. Chuma Balumiza, the Commander in chief of the 6ieme Brigade, arrived at the residence of Mwami NDARE, who was then told that he was to attend an urgent meeting at the residence of the Governor, Mr. Norbert Basengezi Katintima.
During this meeting, Mwami NDARE was informed of the abduction by the militia Mai-mai of the RCD's commander Olivier, as well as a number of his collaborators. In addition to being informed of this incident, the Mwami was ordered to go to Lubarika, a village not far away from Katogota and Kamanyola in the district of Uvira, and negotiate the release of the abducted commander. The Mwami was told that the commander was to be found alive, otherwise his own life would be in danger.
Next day (April 1, 2001), during a students rally held in Uvira (second urban centre of South-Kivu) by Mr. Tomy Tambwe, the deputy head of the department of local education, declared Mwami NDARE as a public danger and vowed to do all possible to stop him from becoming such a danger.
Numerous of our local sources also confirm that in addition to Mwami NDARE, Dr. KUYE NDONDO WA MULEMERA, the President of the ECC/South-Kivu (platform of protestant churches) is equally harassed and wanted by the rebel movement in control of South-Kivu (RCD).
One can remember that both Mwami NDARE and Dr. KUYE were ones of the representatives of South-Kivu to the Symposium on Peace in Africa, held in Butembo last February. The authorities of the RCD are said to have never been happy with the composition of the delegation and what was discussed during this symposium.
Heritiers de la Justice is very concerned about the threats of arrest hanging over both Mwami NDARE and Dr. KUYE. Such acts of harassment can only raise tensions among communities and endanger the mood of peace and reconciliation, which could be seen as emerging from the latest political changes occurring in the Congo.
While monitoring very closely the two cases, Heritiers de la Justice call upon the authorities of the rebel movement, RCD, for the respect of human rights and work for the end of the present conflict affecting the Congo. Heritiers de la Justice would also like to call upon the international community for an action on behalf of the two local leaders.
Heritiers de la Justice
April 4, 2001
La RONDE du Kivu
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|
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