The encampment of FARDC struck  with lightning at Sange

 The population of Nyakabere Ist quarter flies from reprisals of soldiers

The inhabitants of Nyakabere Ist quarter of Sange City in Uvira territory, South-Kivu province, are since yesterday Sunday 23 rd January 2005, compelled by Congolese soldiers to leave their houses. Those soldiers belong to the local company led by the commandant nicknamed˝American˝ of the Sange battalion under orders of Captain Koffi.

Several sources in places, indicate that the general moving of civil population are due to reprisals of soldiers because if lightning which stoke their position. The same sources announce the death of a soldier’s spouse, so far unidentified and some who fainted.

Consecutively to that lightning, those soldiers have immediately accused the populations to be the source of the lightnongs which manhandle them since the beginning of the month, forgetting that they themselves contribute with no pity to deforestation in that area. In fact, that incident comes just after another which happened in Kabunambo encampment, not for from Sange, where several huts of soldiers were burnt, especially those serving as store for food supplies thatwere looting from fields belonging to population.

One would remember that populations and NGO have much cried about the behaviours against nature of some Congolese soldiers based in the valley.

Counting the reprisals actions, we may mention the impounding and humiliating and degrading treatment of the head of the quarter, and members of the Wisemen College as well as the reduction on the peasant’s properties, particularly the small breeding.

Among victims, our sources mention misters:

-         Baruti: 3 goats

-         Kahano: 1 goat

-         Kabaka Masesero, former headman of Sange city: 1 goat

-         Divin: Several properties of the house …

Noticing that certain men of troops seem to ignore more and more their mission which is that of protecting people and their properties, the association Heritiers de la Justice, as those populations victims, question themselves on impunity that the military hierarchy and the Congolese government of transition continue to enjoy those civils tortures in spite of multiple reports and announcing letters addressed to them.

Reason why it asks again that impartial investigation ought to be done on that case and those disparaged before in orders to he judged and those who would be guilty may be punished in accordance with the law

strictness. Therefore, the association estimates that a reliable application of justice is one of the basic means to rebuke the wrong and reconcile then soldiers and civils.

Bukavu,  24 january,2005

Héritiers de la Justice