Fights within the DR Congo Loyal Forces

in Ruzizi Valley,

in the province of South Kivu  

Most victims are civilians

On Thursday 03/11/2005 by 16:30 in Katogota village, in the Ruzizi valley, Province of South Kivu, two Congolese battalions commanded respectively by Colonel Mosala and Major Abdou Panda opened fire against each other. The fighting, which extended to Kamanyola and Lubarika centres, on Friday morning, caused many casualties among civilians. So far, Mr. Masumbe Wemba has been identified dead and two other people seriously injured among whom a 4 years old girl. Many other people have fled their homes to safer places. Both parties have been reported to have used heavy weapons.

Interviewed by radio Okapi on Friday 04/11/2005, the governor of south Kivu province stated that the fight was due to the fact that Major Abdou and his troops had refused to be mixed with the troops of Colonel Mosala, as decided by 10^th Military Region, and make only one brigade under the command of the latter.

It should be remembered that the conflict between these two groups reached the climax when it was declared an infiltration into the DR Congo of insurgents who fought with Colonel Jules Mutebutsi and General Nkundabatware against the government forces in Bukavu in Mai-June 2004. They were reported to enter through the borders formerly under control of former Mai-Mai soldiers but rendered to the former RDD/ Goma soldiers.

Some sources state that Colonel Mosala and 10^th Military Region accuse Major Abdou Panda of not respecting orders from his hierarchy. But the latter would have firmly declared that he does not want to work under Colonel Mosala’s orders which would facilitate the country invasion.

Burundi and Rwanda closed their borders preventing refugees to cross onto their lands. This has generated a deplorable humanitarian situation in the Ruzizi Valley. No assistance has been given to theses IDPs.

Heritiers de la Justice is very much concerned with this situation which violates article 53 of the Constitution that states: “ All Congolese have right to peace and security”. HJ invites the Congolese government to stop this violence which may negatively impact the transition process.

Finally, Heritiers de la Justice asks the ambassadors of the United Nations’ Security Council, presently in the DR Congo, to persuade the Congolese authorities to speed up the formation of a united, modern army capable of defending the country’s interests.