Kidnappings diluted into raping, ransom and Congolese civil’ torture by Interahamwe.

 Urgent measures are imperative

On 22^nd January 2005 between 20p.m and 22o.m, Interahamwe have invaded Ciruko village in  Walungu territory and have kidnapped Mr. Medard Bugandwa, the headman of Ciruko village;Mr Matabaro Nyange,24years old and son of Mr. Nyange Mungu-Akonkwa,Director of  Muhungu primary  school ;and two sons of Mr. Nziraboba:Mr Naluhaze Nziraboba and Safari Nziraboba.  Those invaders recommended the victims to carry the property ribbed until the forest adjoining Kaniola village. They took 5 cows, 3 goats,10 rabbits, and 10 hens belonging to Nyange Mungu-Akonkwa’family and two more cows looted at Mr. rugemanizi Kapanga’s. Soon later, Mr. Medard Bugandwa has been murdered by those kidnappers.

After having undergone several bodily cruelty, Mr. Naluhaze Nziraboba was released to go and collect from his, an amount of 300$US as obliged by the kidnappers –Interahamwe as a ransom. The dead line to hand in the so called amount was fixed on 25^th january2005 at 10 o’clock. There is reason to fear for victims’ life.

Let us notice that similar kidnappings have become regular in walungu territory. Most of cases ,the doers of such attackings, rape women and young girls before obliging the willing ransom to free their victims, and if not, they simply murder them without further ado.

Let’s mention to that matter that, on Friday 21^st January 2005, by 20p.m, 8 persons from Tchosho, Nyamarhege village in Kaniola locality, Walungu territory had been kidnapped by Interahamwe.It’s about Maheshe Sakidoki, Bahati Kahamnure, Murega, Joseph Ntububa and Bahune Kahunga; and mistresses in behalf of FMM, NMZ and MKK flanked with her 6years old daughter.

The next day, Mr. Joseph Ntububa was killed whereas all persons with feminine sex were raped. To avoid the worst, the survivors had to undergo the kidnappers’requiremernts paying a 300$US Ransom.

Moreover, in last December 2004,Mr Xavier Maheshe 17 years old, living at Cimbulungu village in Kaniola locality in Walungu territory was kidnapped together with his brother-in-law Mbatanya Nnasinde and his spouse; and his two children but also Miss S.17 years old: everybody was led into Mugaba village towards Nindja in Kabare territory. They were beaten and injured with knives. At the same time, that girl was raped and got her arm wounded.

After two days of captivity, the victims had to pay for their liberation an amount of 400$US, got thanks to his and acquaintances stayed at home. According to some sources, the doers of those kidnappings would behave in this way working hand in hand  with some young people from the same territory.

HERITIERS DE LA JUSTICE=NOTA BENE

True piece of information that we possess, in addition we learn that, from captivity, hostages are compelled by neighbors and acquaintances to pay back the fees collected for their liberation. What would be the origin of conflict since, the latter being impoverished with war, most of them cannot find the due amount of money.

Some observants make notice that kidnappings against civils are still going on despite the deployment, since the last term year 2004 in that territory, more troops of FARDC assisted by the brigade of MONUC in Kivu.

In welcoming this initiative, there is way to notice that scouring crimes and populations’ kidnappings still needs some more tough action to put, all at once end to the matter with those kidnappers.

To that point, Héritiers de la Justice reminds that those elements Burundian rebels led by the sadly famous Eugene Bitagy’Umunyu of the national forces for liberation (FNL) who were set in the valley of Ruzizi for a long time, had distinguished themselves on burning down whole villages and kidnapping including killings of Congolese in case the obliged ransom is not paid.

But, on 22^nd December 2003, the Congolese Army Forces (FARDC) have led those negative forces away. Since then, no more talking about kidnapping in that side of South- Kivu province. Why can’t such a procedure be displayed somewhere else, mainly in Walungu territory?

The asbl Heritiers de la Justice sends out an urgent appeal to authorities at all levels to initiate an action of great scope so as to save persons who are still detained in captivity by Interahamwe and halt all exactions the latter use more and more to get money and to the worst, to commit killings.

Bukavu,  22 12,2004

Héritiers de la Justice