investigation

ADSAD - association de défense des droits de l'homme dénommée secours aux détenus

Suspected death of Jean Claude Ngandu : The president of the Human Rights Organisation ADSAD is dead. 22/09/2011

ADSAD is a non-governmental organization whose purpose is to defend human rights and to assist those who have been detained in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Jean Claude Ngandu was a lawyer working at the Magistrates courts in Bandundu City in the Dem. Rep. Of Congo. He been president of ADSAD since 2004 after the former president fled the country. Ngandu was very involved as activist to defend those who have been detained arbitrarily in the Dem. Rep. Of Congo.

Ngandu has unpack and denunciate many abuses among detainees in official and unofficial prisons in Congo. In some of his recent contacts he highlighted the pressures and threats from the security services in the Dem. Rep. Of Congo.

After this death, as members of ADSAD we need an investigation to be carried out in order to unpack this suspected death.

In the name of Adsad team, we presents our condolences to Ngandu’s family.

Adsad Team

More than 1,100 women raped every day, report says. AFP, 11.05.2011

More than 1,100 women are raped every day in the Democratic Republic of Congo, a US medical report released Wednesday says. More than 400,000 women and girls were raped over a 12-month period, more than 26 times the number reported by the UN.

AFP - More than 1,100 women are raped every day in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), making sexual violence against women 26 times more common than previously thought, a study concluded Wednesday.

More than 400,000 women and girls between the ages of 15 to 49 were raped in the vast, war-ravaged country in central Africa during a 12-month period in 2006 and 2007, according to the study published in the American Journal of Public Health.

That is 26 times more than the 15,000 women that the United Nations has reported were raped there during the same 12 months.

"Our results confirm that previous estimates of rape and sexual violence are severe underestimates of the true prevalence of sexual violence occurring in the DRC," said Amber Peterman, lead author of the study.

"Even these new, much higher figures still represent a conservative estimate of the true prevalence of sexual violence because of chronic underreporting due to stigma, shame, perceived impunity, and exclusion of younger and older age groups as well as men," she said.

The study, which gathered data from 2007, did not capture sexual violence among girls younger than 15 years or women older than 49 years and did not include sexual violence among boys and men.

"Although the burden of sexual violence among these groups is uncertain, a review of the records of 4,133 women attending Panzi Hospital in Sud Kivu showed that six percent were younger than 16 years and 10 percent were older than 65 years," said the study.

"In addition, Human Rights Watch reported that sexual violence in 2009 doubled in comparison with 2008. If this assessment is accurate, then the current prevalence of sexual violence is likely to be even higher than our estimates suggest."

Commenting on the study, Michael VanRooyen, director of the Harvard Humanitarian Initiative, said that "rape in the DRC has metastasized amid a climate of impunity, and has emerged as one of the great human crises of our time."

Hundreds mourn murdered DR Congo rights activist – Floribert Chebeya – 27 June 2010 - By Edouardin Mputu (AFP)

KINSHASA, DR Congo — Nearly 1,000 people Saturday gathered for the funeral of murdered Democratic Republic of Congo rights activist Floribert Chebeya with mourners paying tribute to a man who "earned... a place in the pantheon of heroes."

Foreign diplomats and government ministers were among those who paid their last respects to Chebeya, president of La Voix des Sans-Voix (The Voice of the Voiceless).

His death earlier this month prompted international criticism notably from the United States and European Union.

The ceremony in a stadium included dancing, traditional songs and tributes and was followed by a special mass at a cathedral in Kinshasa. His body was due to buried later Saturday.

Kabila’s Government tries to show to the International Community that they loved Floribert after his assassination - Just a lie

The funeral was attended by Alan Doss, special representative of United Nations Secretary-General in DR Congo, and the ministers for justice and budgetary affairs.

Chebeya's body, dressed in white, was placed in a coffin in a temporary chapel on the stadium pitch. Many mourners wore T-shirts emblazoned with Chebeya's picture amid a heavy police presence.

"Your death by a terrible crime broke my heart, you earned the respect of the nation and a place in the pantheon of heroes," veteran opposition leader Etienne Tshisekedi, the president of the Union for Democracy and Social Progress who is currently in Europe, wrote in a letter read out during the ceremony.

VSV coordinator Peter Ntumba looked back on the career of Chebeya, who he said was "committed to defending democracy, human rights and fundamental liberties for nearly 27 years.

"His life was a model of commitment and evangelism, his blood is the blood of a martyr, a seed which will produce other Floriberts", said Ntumba.

In his sermon during a special mass at Notre Dame of Congo cathedral, Archbishop Laurent Monsengwo said Chebeya "had a place in the history of Congo because of his commitment to justice, peace and human dignity."

"Through his departure, Chebeya celebrates liberation. As long as man does not understand that he must not kill another, there will always be Floriberts. The person we mourn is the voice of the voiceless," added Father Yves Koko, priest of the parish of Notre Dame.

Chebeya and his driver disappeared on June 1 after going to the police headquarters where he had been called to a meeting with police chief John Numbi, which never took place.

The 47-year-old was found dead in the morning of June 2, tied up on the back seat of his car on a road on the outskirts of Kinshasa. The driver, Fidele Bazana, has not been found.

The police chief has been suspended and around a dozen officers have been arrested in the course of the enquiry, which is being carried out by military justice authorities.

Local and international non-governmental organisations and rights bodies including Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International have called for an international enquiry.

As the cortege travelled from the stadium to the cathedral, several opposition activists held banners accusing DRC President Joseph Kabila of involvement in Chebeya's death and calling for his resignation.

After the mass, justice minister Emmanuel Janvier Luzolo promised that "justice would be done" during the ongoing investigation.

The cause and circumstances of the death remained unclear. Preliminary results of a June 11 autopsy by Dutch coroners did not rule out the use of violence.

Samples were taken to the Netherlands for detailed examination and final results were expected over coming weeks.

The assassination of Floribert Chebeya is unacceptable -6/6/2010

The Adsad condemned the assassination of Mr Floribert Chebeya.- the leader of the human rights organisation called ‘Voix des Sans Voix’ means Voice of the Voiceless.

As we know, Floribert Chebeya was found dead in a car Wednesday the 2^nd June 2010 in Kinshasa - the Capital of the DR Congo. Like many other human rights activists Floribert Chebeya had been arrested by Congolese authorities numerous times over the past two decades.

What is sure is that the Congolese Government was involved in that assassination. That is not the first time in DR Congo; many people still suffering because of their right.

U.N. human rights official, Philip Alston, said Friday that he does not think the investigation will be meaningful. Alston said it is "very likely" the government was involved in Chebeya's death.

French news reports say a police colonel, Daniel Mukalay, implicated Numbi in Chebeya's death. The rights activist was believed to be on his way to a meeting with Numbi last Tuesday before disappearing.

Interior Ministry officials say national police chief John Numbi was suspended late Saturday to allow for a smooth inquiry into the death of Floribert Chebeya.

‘Enough is enough’ we cannot build a nation without human rights activists – everyone need to play his/her part to rebuild the country.

Universal Declaration of Human Rights: Article 3: Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person. Article 5: No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.

Adsad team

Congo leaders 'killed opponents' – BBC - 26 nov. 08 - 10.41h

A rights group has accused the government of the DR Congo of using violence to eliminate political opponents since polls in 2006. Human Rights Watch (HRW) said Congolese security forces had deliberately killed more than 500 people in a campaign against opposition groups.

Human Rights Watch said the abuses were attracting scant attention because everyone was focusing on the conflict in the east.

More than 250,000 people have fled their homes since fighting erupted in August between government troops and rebels loyal to Tutsi General Laurent Nkunda.

On Monday UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said that all parties involved in the conflict had committed serious human rights abuses.

His special envoy, Olusegun Obasanjo, has urged Congolese President Joseph Kabila to talk with Gen Nkunda in order to prevent the situation from worsening.

'Brutal force'

In its report, Human Rights Watch (HRW) accused Mr Kabila's government of "brutal repression" following elections in July 2006 aimed at bringing democracy to the country after years of fighting.

Five hundred perceived opponents had been killed since then and another 1,000 had been detained - many of whom reported being tortured, it said.

Many of those targeted were supporters of defeated presidential candidate Jean-Pierre Bemba and of another political group in the west of the country.

Opposition groups had also used violence, HRW said. "In these cases, the police and army had a duty to restore order, but often did so with excessive force," it said.

Lambert Mende, a government spokesman, said the report did not reflect the facts.

Congolese judges could not avoid convicting people who had committed crimes on the basis that they were political opponents, he said.

But Anneke Van Woudenberg, a senior researcher for HRW, said that the group had documented the use of "brutal force" against government critics.

"This, of course, together with the rebellion in the east, is dramatically undermining Congo's ability to develop a democratic state," she told the BBC.

'Grave concern'

Last week, the UN Security Council approved an additional 3,000 soldiers and police for the UN peacekeeping mission in DR Congo in an effort to prevent the conflict in the east from escalating

Aid agencies are struggling to reach tens of thousands of people displaced by the fighting in North Kivu province.

On Monday, the UN leader said both government forces and rebel troops had carried out arbitrary executions, mass killings, rape and torture there.

In a 28-page report for the UN Security Council, Ban Ki-moon said the human rights situation there was a "cause for grave concern".

Special envoy Olusegun Obasanjo is due to return to DR Congo at the weekend for more talks aimed at ending the conflict, the UN said.

Congo's former government headed by current President Joseph Kabila lost and stole $1.3 billion – report. Reuters-24 jul. 08 - 09.09h

KINSHASA (Reuters) - An investigation showed $1.3 billion was stolen or lost in corruption and mismanagement of government agencies and state-run businesses in the Democratic Republic of Congo in 2006-2007.

Dozens of officials who worked in the post-war transitional government, headed by current President Joseph Kabila, are being investigated. Those found guilty will be asked to reimburse money and could face prison, a minister involved in the inquiry said late on Tuesday.

Congo has become a by-word for corruption as it remains mired in poverty and conflict despite its vast wealth, ranging from copper, cobalt and gold mines in the east to swathes of timber in the heart of the country and oil fields in the west.

Relative peace has returned to some parts and foreign investors are flocking to the central African giant after elections in 2006 saw the country reopen for business.

"The result of the work (the investigation) ... so far is ... the discovery that $1.3 billion was embezzled or is missing from the earnings," Godefroid Mayobo, minister for the prime minister's office, said late on Tuesday.

The government has opened disciplinary proceedings against 53 people believed to be responsible, he added, as he announced preliminary findings of two commissions looking into corruption and the recovery of state assets.

Funds disappeared from government departments dealing with customs and tax. The agencies and businesses implicated were supposed to be providing everything from electricity and water to overseeing Congo's chaotic aviation and insurance sectors.

Despite promises of a fresh start and better services during election campaigning, analysts say corruption and mismanagement are still rife under Kabila's latest government.

Kabila won the late 2006 election having ruled the country unelected for six years after the president, his father Laurent, was assassinated.

A government official said the investigation only covered the period in 2006 and 2007 when there was a transitional government that included former rebels, the civilian opposition and members of civil society.

Six neighbouring countries took part in Congo's 1998-2003 war, which was nominally over hunting down foreign rebels but descended into a battle over the nation's resources.

The international community has spent billions of dollars on peacekeeping and hundreds of millions more to hold elections and try to rebuild the shattered nation.

Last year, corruption watchdog Transparency International put Congo in the top 10 of the world's most corrupt countries.

UN troops 'armed DR Congo rebels' – BBC - 28 apr. 08 - 09.37h

The UN has covered up claims that its troops in Democratic Republic of Congo gave arms to militias and smuggled gold and ivory, the BBC has learned.

Kung Fu, whose real name is General Mateso Ninga, said: "Yes, it's true, they did give us arms. They said it was for the security of the country. So they said to us that we would help them take care of the zone."

The allegations, based on confidential UN sources, involve Pakistani and Indian troops working as peacekeepers.

The UN investigated some of the claims in 2007, but said it could not substantiate claims of arms dealing.

UN insiders told the BBC's Panorama they had been prevented from pursuing their inquiries for political reasons.

Gold and ivory

The UN peacekeeping operation in DR Congo is the largest in the world, with 17,000 troops, spread across the country.

It's true they did, give us arms. They said it was for the security of the country

Spotlight on India and Pakistan

The BBC's Martin Plaut, who returned to DR Congo to follow up his initial investigation into the allegations, says they have managed to bring a measure of stability since they were first established by the UN in February 2000.

They have also helped disarm the warring factions, run democratic elections and assisted with reconstruction.

But an 18-month BBC investigation for Panorama has found evidence that:

- Pakistani peacekeepers in the eastern town of Mongbwalu were involved in the illegal trade in gold with the FNI militia, providing them with weapons to guard the perimeter of the mines.

- Indian peacekeepers operating around the town of Goma had direct dealings with the militia responsible for the Rwandan genocide, now living in eastern DR Congo.

- The Indians traded gold, bought drugs from the militias and flew a UN helicopter into the Virunga National Park, where they exchanged ammunition for ivory.

The UN looked into the allegations concerning the Pakistani troops in 2007.

It concluded that one officer had been responsible for dealing in gold - allowing traders to use UN aircraft to fly into the town, putting them up at the UN base and taking them around the town.

But the UN decided that "in the absence of corroborative evidence" its investigators "could not substantiate the allegation" that Pakistani peacekeepers supplied weapons or ammunition to the militia.

Ammunition boxes

The head of the UN peacekeeping operation in New York Jean-Marie Guehenno declared last year: "The investigation has found no evidence of gun smuggling.

The UN's Alan Doss responds to the allegations

"But it has identified an individual who seemed to have facilitated gold smuggling. We have shared the report with the concerned troop contributing country and I am confident they will take the required action. And this issue is closed."

But returning to eastern DR Congo, the BBC spoke to several residents of the mining town of Mongbwalu, who said they had seen the FNI re-armed.

One former militant told our correspondent he had witnessed seven boxes of ammunition being brought from the UN camp to the re-supply the FNI during a critical fire-fight.

Two FNI leaders known as "Kung-fu" and "Dragon", who have been jailed in the capital, Kinshasa, have stated publicly that they received help from the UN.

The BBC managed to get into the maximum security jail and both confirmed this.

Political pressure

Kung Fu, whose real name is General Mateso Ninga, said: "Yes, it's true, they did give us arms. They said it was for the security of the country. So they said to us that we would help them take care of the zone."

The FNI has been described by Human Rights Watch as "some of the most murderous individuals that operate in eastern Congo".

The ethnic Lendu militia was involved in the bitter clashes with their Hema rivals in the Ituri district.

UN insiders - close to the investigation - told the BBC they had been prevented from pursuing their inquiries for political reasons.

The BBC's Martin Plaut says that in short, the Pakistanis, who are the largest troop contributors to the UN in the world, were too valuable to alienate.

These are not the only allegations to have been brought against peacekeepers in DR Congo.

In December 2006, former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan said Moroccan troops had been involved in widespread sexual abuse.

"There have been crimes such as rape, paedophilia and human trafficking," he said, shortly before leaving office.

Diplomat pleads guilty to possessing child pornography – AP - 18 apr. 08 - 10.16h

ALEXANDRIA, Va. (AP) — A former U.S. diplomat pleaded guilty Thursday to possession of child pornography in a case that also included allegations that he pressured visa applicants in Brazil for sex.

Gons Gutierrez Nachman, 42, admitted during a plea hearing in U.S. District Court that he had sex with 14- to 17-year-old girls while serving as a consular officer in Brazil and Congo, and that he documented the encounters in pictures and videos.

According to court documents, Nachman extensively documented his sexual activities from at least 2004 through 2006. One videotape was labeled "2004 Congo Sexual Adventures."

The plea deal includes no admission, however, to allegations that Nachman pressured attractive Brazilian visa applicants for sex.

In a court affidavit, a State Department investigator said she interviewed several visa applicants in Brazil who had sex with Nachman after being aggressively pursued by him. One of the women told agents that Nachman "took advantage of her."

Nachman's attorney, Lorilee Gates, said Nachman likely faces nine to 11 years in prison under federal sentencing guidelines. She declined to comment after the hearing.

The plea bargain prohibits the government from bringing more serious charges against Nachman, including production of child pornography, which carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years.

Nachman, a dual citizen of the U.S. and Costa Rica, earned his law degree at the University of Pennsylvania, where he was president of the Naturist Student Association and led demonstrations involving public nudity in 1995, according to the campus newspaper.

Thursday's hearing ended on an unusual note. Nachman's attorney told the judge that Nachman was trying to marry his fiancee but was having difficulty doing so because the jail where he is being held prohibits such ceremonies.

"Are you asking me to perform the wedding?" Judge Gerald Bruce Lee asked.

Gates said that would be wonderful, and the judge appeared to be considering the idea until prosecutor Ron Walutes pointed out that the fiancee is a 21-year-old Brazilian national - a profile not entirely dissimilar from some of Nachman's victims in the case.

Lee then said he thought the logistical difficulties of obtaining a marriage license while incarcerated made such a ceremony unlikely.

RD Congo: Arbitrary executions, rape, torture and other forms … - Monthly Human Rights Assessment: October 2007 – MONUC - 28 nov. 07 - 15.47h

Summary: Germain Katanga, warlord and leader of the Force de Résistance Patriotique en Ituri (FRPI) militia was transferred to the International Criminal Court (ICC) for trial; In Kisangani, Province Orientale, two military magistrates were subjected to cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment by FARDC soldiers acting on the orders of the Commander of the 9th Military Region;

On 26 October 2007, the Independent Expert on the human rights situation in the DRC, Mr. Titinga Pacere, addressed the UN General Assembly’s Social, Humanitarian and Cultural (third) Committee. He stated that the human rights situation in the DRC remained a matter of grave concern, characterized by arbitrary executions, rape, torture and other forms of cruel, inhumane and degrading treatment perpetrated by the FARDC and the PNC as well as armed groups, in a climate of total impunity.

In Katanga Province, an attempted prison break in Buluwo resulted in five deaths; The “Gédéon” trial continued before the Kipushi Military Tribunal, Katanga Province; MONUC and Congolese military justice officials conducted a second investigative mission into allegations of mass rape perpetrated in Lieke Lesole, Opala territory, Orientale Province; FARDC and PNC elements were responsible for a huge number of violations of the rights to life and physical integrity, including rape.

Main developments

1. On 30 September 2007, two military magistrates attached to the Office of the Military Prosecutor in Kisangani, Orientale Province, were subjected to cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment by FARDC elements acting on the orders of the Commander of the 9th Military Region. The men were arrested at their residence located in the Makiso commune at around 5:00 p.m. by General Kifwa himself, accompanied by twenty members of his security detail.

They were undressed, severely beaten in the presence of members of their respective families and subsequently taken to the Katele military camp, almost naked and with their hands tied behind their backs where they were again subjected to severe beatings. On the morning of 1st October, they were further humiliated by being exposed during the weekly military parade presided over by General Kifwa. The victims were admitted to a local clinic in a serious condition.

2. In reaction to the above incident, all civilian and military magistrates operating in the city of Kisangani went on strike and subsequently, on 2 October 2007, addressed a memorandum to the President of the Republic in which they condemned the recurrent intrusion and interference in the independence of the judiciary by senior military commanders, in violation of the Congolese Constitution and international norms and standards as well as the use of torture, cruel , inhumane or degrading treatment by the Commander of the 9th Military Region.

The signatories to the memorandum also recommended that the perpetrator should be suspended, replaced and brought to justice, sine qua non condition for the end of the strike; the clarification of the type of relationship that should exist between the military leadership and the judiciary and an end to interference of high-ranking officers in the administration of justice. MONUC condemned the illegal arrest and mistreatment of the magistrates in a press release issued on 4 October 2007. MONUC also supported the demands expressed in the memorandum signed on 2 October by Magistrates of Kisangani; recommended that the Commander of the 9th Military Region and his subordinates should be immediately suspended and brought to justice; and urged the relevant authorities to take all necessary measures to guarantee the independence of the judiciary in the DRC.

3. Germain Katanga, leader of the Force de Résistance Patriotique en Ituri (FRPI) militia in Ituri, was transferred to the International Criminal Court (ICC) on the night of 16-17 October 2007 with the assistance of Congolese authorities. He is accused of having committed crimes against humanity and war crimes in Ituri in 2002 and 2003. Germain Katanga was allegedly involved in many serious massacres committed in Ituri, including in Nyakunde in September 2002 where at least 1200 civilians were massacred by FRPI militiamen under his command.

Germain Katanga also allegedly directed many other massacres including those of Bunia, Komanda and Bogoro where hundreds of civilians were tortured, enslaved and killed. Germain Katanga was promoted to the rank of General in the FARDC on 10 January 2005, together with five other former warlords of Ituri, all accused of similar crimes. He was arrested on 11 March 2005 together with Thomas Lubanga and with three other leaders of the Lendu/Ngiti militias (Floribert Ndjabu, Goda Sukpa, Pitshou Iribi).

4. On 26 October 2007, the Independent Expert on the human rights situation in the DRC, Mr. Titinga Pacere, addressed the UN General Assembly’s Social, Humanitarian and Cultural (third) Committee. He stated that the human rights situation in the DRC remained a matter of grave concern, characterized by arbitrary executions, rape, torture and other forms of cruel, inhumane and degrading treatment perpetrated by the FARDC and the PNC as well as armed groups, in a climate of total impunity.

He deplored the fact that in North-Kivu, the ongoing clashes involving pro-Nkunda soldiers have been accompanied by serious human rights violations. He denounced the widespread problem of sexual violence, most specifically in North-Kivu, South-Kivu and Equateur Provinces. He called upon the authorities to give special priority to preventing and combating the prevailing climate of impunity. To this end, he called for the creation of an International Criminal Court or mixed Chambers specifically to deal with crimes in the DRC, and urged the government to adopt a “zero-tolerance” policy for perpetrators of serious human rights violations.

5. On 3 October 2007, a joint team composed of the MONUC/Kisangani and the Congolese military justice officials, the Administrator of Opala territory, UNPOL and Milobs conducted a second investigative mission into allegations of mass rape perpetrated in Lieke Lesole, Opala territory, Orientale Province, from 21 July-3 August, by a group of Mayi Mayi under the command of Col Thoms. The team interviewed 29 victims of rape, including 8 minors as well as 24 victims of ill-treatment and extortion. Mayi Mayi elements under the command of a certain Col Thoms were allegedly responsible for 114 cases of rape and other human rights violations committed in Lieke Lesole from 21 July to 3 August 2007.

6. In Katanga Province, on 15 October 2007, an attempted prison escape at the high security prison in Buluwo -110 km north of Lubumbashi - resulted in five deaths, three inmates and two policemen, and injury to eleven persons, including prisoners, FARDC soldiers and policemen. Most of the inmates at Buluwo are military prisoners and have been sentenced to death, life in prison, other long prison terms or are political detainees. The mutiny was triggered by a decision taken by the Acting Deputy Director of the prison to provide the PNC and FARDC prison guards with food from the inmates’ food supplies.

FARDC soldiers were responsible for at least ten cases of arbitrary execution as well as other human rights violations, particularly violations to the rights to physical integrity, liberty and security of persons throughout the DRC

7. On 30 September 2007, two civilians were allegedly arbitrarily executed by two FARDC corporals of the 24th Integrated Brigade, close to the Parking market- 49 km northeast of Beni, North-Kivu. According to reliable sources, the perpetrators had forced the men to carry their personal belongings and then shot them at point- blank range because they showed signs of fatigue before arriving at their destination. The same sources indicated that, in order to cover up their act, the two FARDC elements claimed that the men had been killed during an attack by a group of ADF/NALU (Ugandan rebels). The Office of the Military Prosecutor has already identified the perpetrators.

8. On 27 October 2007, a mother and her four children were shot dead by a FARDC soldier in Gbado, Commune of Maluku, Kinshasa. The alleged perpetrator later committed suicide. According to police sources, he frequently assumed the role of a policeman with the complicity of his brother, the Commander of the local police station. Earlier that day, he had reportedly had an altercation with a bandit. Apparently, in retaliation, he later went to the man’s home and shot his wife and four children.

9. On 9 October 2007, in Cagala, territory of Walungu, South-Kivu Province, a civilian was allegedly shot dead by FARDC soldiers in his private residence. The victim’s wife was also injured during the attack.

10. In Butembo, North-Kivu Province, armed men in military uniform believed to be FARDC soldiers were allegedly responsible for two cases of arbitrary execution. On the night of 20-21 October 2007, a woman was shot dead by an armed man in military uniform and on the night of 24-25 October 2007, a business man was shot dead in similar circumstances’. No one has yet been arrested in connection with the killings.

11. On the night 13-14 October 2007, the driver of the former Governor of North-Kivu Province was allegedly shot dead in Goma, North Kivu, by an armed man believed to be a soldier of the 14th Integrated Brigade. The victim’s wife, a six-month pregnant lady, was also seriously injured during the attack. She was admitted to the local hospital in a critical condition.

12. In Gwoknyeri (27 km west of Mahagi, Ituri), in a local bar, thirteen civilians were threatened with death and one of them was shot on his right leg by a FARDC sergeant, on 29 October 2007. All victims were suspected of stealing his magazine. The perpetrator was later neutralized by the bar customers.

13. In Ituri, on 12 October 2007, a minor was allegedly raped by a FARDC soldier of the 1st Integrated Brigade in Ayforo -45 km north of Aru. The alleged perpetrator is still at large.

14. In South-Kivu, on 29 September 2007, between the villages of Kasagi II and Mankulu, a woman was allegedly threatened with death and subsequently raped by a soldier of the 11th FARDC Brigade based in Shabunda.

15. In North-Katanga, on 9 October 2007, ninety-two civilians, including women, residents of the village of Kahese-80 km southwest of Manono- in the Collectivity of Kyofwe, Groupement of Mbayo- were subjected to cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment as well as extortion by 25 FARDC soldiers of the 67th Brigade. The alleged perpetrators were on official mission to the area in order to arrest a number of men suspected to be Mayi-Mayi combatants. The victims have lodged a formal complaint with the Office of the Military Prosecutor in Kalemie.

16. In Province Orientale, on 27 September 2007, a civilian was arbitrarily arrested, illegally detained over a period of 12 days, and beaten up by six FARDC soldiers in Makangba -48 km of Isiro-.

17. On 9 October 2007, a truck driver was allegedly arrested, extorted and subjected to ill-treatment by a group of FARDC soldiers under the command of a Lieutenant in Ngote- 32 km west of Mahagi-, Ituri, on the grounds that he had refused to give a ride to the wife of one of the perpetrators.

18. In Kasaï oriental, on 6 October 2007, a civilian was allegedly extorted and subjected to ill-treatment by five FARDC soldiers in the Commune of La Muya, Mbuji Mayi. The victim was admitted to the local hospital.

19. In North-Katanga, on the night of 23 October, a woman was allegedly arbitrarily arrested and illegally detained with her two month-old baby in place of her husband by two FARDC soldiers of the 671st Battalion in Kafumbe - 90 km southeast of Manono-.

PNC elements were implicated in serious human rights violations during the month in review, in particular, violations of the rights to life and physical integrity, including torture and rape

20. On 27 October, a police officer shot dead a motorcycle taxi driver in Butembo, North Kivu Province during clashes with a group of taxi drivers who were passing with the body of a dead colleague on a police vehicle. Earlier that day, the discovery of the dead body of the motorcycle taxi driver in the Commune of Bulengera had resulted in a mass demonstration by the other taxi drivers which was dispersed by the PNC at around 11:00 a.m.

In reaction to the arbitrary execution of their colleague, the taxi drivers set fire to the PNC vehicle. They subsequently set up roadblocks on the main streets of the town, set fire to the house of the policeman who had killed their fellow taxi man and also to the PNC station in the Mususa Commune.

21. On 21 October 2007, two civilians were shot dead by a PNC officer in Mwene Ditu, Kasaï Oriental Province. The alleged perpetrator together with three other PNC officers met with resistance from local residents when they went to arrest a suspect. The PNC officer subsequently fired at the crowd killing two civilians. The alleged perpetrator went into hiding but his colleagues were arrested and transferred to the Office of the Military Prosecutor.

22. In Ituri, on 2 October 2007, a 90-year-old arson suspect was allegedly tortured to death by two policemen in the locality of Djupuyaka, Mokambo collectivity -southeast of Mahagi-. Local sources indicated that the victim was wrongfully suspected of arson and was severely beaten during his arrest and transfer to Apala. On 12 October 2007, he succumbed to his injuries.

23. In Kasaï Oriental, on the night of 6-7 October 2007, two civilians, including a theft suspect and a PNC collaborator, were allegedly shot dead by a PNC officer in the village of Muhemba Nzewu, District of Kabinda -80 km southeast of Mbuji Mayi-. According to local sources, one of the victims resisted arrest on legal grounds as it was 11:00 pm, whereas the second victim, a PNC collaborator, was killed by accident as he was trying to neutralize the suspected thief. The PNC has opened an investigation into the case.

24. On 16 October 2007, an inmate sentenced to life imprisonment for libel against the Head of State, forgery and the use of forgery, and criminal conspiracy in Katanga Province was allegedly abducted and summarily executed, by the Groupe Mobile d’Intervention (GMI), in connection with the Buluwo Prison mutiny of 15-16 October 2007. Local sources revealed that the victim died as result of cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment. The dead body was transferred to the mortuary of the General hospital in Likasi, Katanga Province.

25. In Equateur, on the night of 30 September 2007, two minors were allegedly raped by a FARDC soldier and a PNC element, in the locality of Yandongi, District of Mongala (540 km northeast of Mbandaka). According to victim’s parents, the two minors were intercepted, taken to the nearby forest, threatened with death and subsequently raped.

26. In Maniema Province, on 6 August 2007, a minor, who was detained at the local PNC holding cell, was allegedly raped by the PNC Commander in Punia -230 km northeast of Kindu-. The Commander had relocated the victim to his private residence, reportedly on security grounds. The victim was threatened and subsequently raped by the PNC commander. The alleged perpetrator was arrested and detained at the local prison.

27. In Ituri, on 22 October 2007, a minor was allegedly raped by a PNC officer of the Groupe Mobile d’Intervention (GMI) in Bunia. The victim’s father has lodged a complaint with the local PNC. The alleged perpetrator was arrested

28. In Kasaï Occidental, on the night of 23-24 October 2007, a minor was allegedly gang raped by two policemen, at the Kananga railway station. The victim was admitted to the local clinic whereas as one of the suspects was arrested and detained at the PIC (Police d’ Investigation Criminelle) holding cell

29. In Kasaï Occidental, on 22 September 2007, a minor was allegedly raped by two policemen attached to the Katoka II PNC sub station, Kananga. The victim was intercepted, taken to one of the holding cells and alternately raped by the two policemen. The perpetrators are still at large.

30. In Kasaï Oriental, in the neighborhood of Bubanji, Commune of Diulu, Mbuji Mayi, a minor was allegedly repeatedly raped by a PNC officer attached to the mines Office, in connivance with his junior sisters, over a period of 72 days (since 4 August 2007). The alleged perpetrator and his accomplices were arrested and detained on 12 October 2007.

31. In Kasaï Occidental, on 24 October 2007, a woman was allegedly gang raped by four PNC officers in Mashala, Territory of Dibengue. The alleged perpetrators were arrested.

32. On 29 October 2007, a minor was allegedly intercepted and subsequently raped by a policeman in Bandundu Ville. The alleged perpetrator was caught in flagrante delicto by the victim’s mother. He was later arrested and transferred to the Office of the Military Prosecutor. In an unrelated case, on 28 October 2007, a minor was allegedly victim of an attempted rape by a policeman in the locality of Bulungu, District of Kwilu -200 km north of Kikwit, Bandundu Province-. The alleged perpetrator was arrested and transferred to the local PNC headquarters.

33. In Katanga, on 24 October 2007, a fisherman was allegedly subjected to ill-treatment by two elements of the naval police in the locality of Kapolowe -120 km northeast Kipushi-. The victim was repeatedly beaten up and subsequently detained at the PNC sub-station in Kapolowe. He was later admitted to the local hospital in a critical condition. One of the two alleged perpetrators was arrested and detained.

34. In Kinshasa, eleven journalists were briefly arrested, detained and allegedly struck by PNC officers attached to the Funa PNC station in the Commune of Kalamu on 30 October. The victims were reportedly preparing to cover a meeting organized by members of the extra-parliamentary opposition scheduled for later that day. According to the local PNC, the meeting was “not authorized”. The police officers allegedly confiscated the personal belongings of the journalists during their arrest.

Implication of other security services in Human Rights violations

35. On the night of 22-23 September 2007, in the neighborhood of Mikonga, Commune of Nsele, Kinshasa, a woman was allegedly shot dead and her husband injured by two men in Republican Guard uniforms. The assailants had attempted to extort the couple. The victim died on the spot whereas her husband was admitted to the local hospital.

36. On the night of 4-5 October 2007, a civilian was allegedly extorted and shot dead in his car, in presence of his wife, by two armed men wearing Republican Guard uniforms, in the neighbourhood of Binza, Commune of Ngaliema, Kinshasa.

37. On 2 October 2007, a civilian was allegedly arbitrarily arrested and subjected to cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment by two ANR elements in the village of Bishile -45 km from Kongolo, Katanga Province, who accused him of facilitating prostitution. The victim was admitted to the local hospital in a critical condition.

38. In North-Katanga, on 19 October 2007, a journalist was allegedly arbitrarily arrested, illegally detained and severely beaten by 12 ANR agents in Kongolo - 350 km northeast of Kalemie-, causing injury to his right eye. The victim had gone to the ANR office to verify a report. He was admitted to the local hospital for treatment.

39. In Kasaï Oriental, on 12 October 2007, a civilian was allegedly arbitrarily arrested and illegally detained for four days in place of his son by the local ANR. The victim’s son was suspected of embezzlement in a local company.

Members of armed groups have continued to commit human rights abuses on the populations of North and South Kivu

40. In North-Kivu, on the night of 28-29 October 2007, a civilian was killed, three others were injured by machete and a minor was abducted by Mayi-Mayi combatants commonly referred to as “Baraka Group” in the Groupement of Mwenye, territory of Lubero.

41. On 15 October 2007, two diamond traders were allegedly extorted and shot dead by two Mayi-Mayi combatants in the locality of Kikonde, territory of Fizi -141 km south of Uvira-South Kivu Province.

42. Still in South-Kivu, on the night of 31 October-1 November 2007, three civilians were allegedly abducted and taken to an unknown destination and a local clinic was looted during an attack carried out by the FDLR in the village of Kabushwa/Katana -42 km north of Bukavu-.

Administration of Justice

43. During the month of October the trial of former Mayi Mayi leader, Kyungu Mutanga, alias “Gédéon” continued before the Kipushi Military Tribunal in Katanga Province. Several witnesses testified to the implication of Mayi Mayi elements under the command of Gédéon in armed attacks, murder, arbitrary executions, cannibalism, mutilation, rape and sexual slavery in the territory of Mitwaba in 2004.

Throughout the hearings, Gédéon categorically denied his involvement and claimed to have learned of the different accusations brought against him and his men for the first time in court. On 30 October the Prosecutor informed the Tribunal that 11 new persons, including Gédéon’s wife, two children and bodyguards, were officially summoned to appear before the court.

44. On 6 October 2007, a former FNI militia member who was among the persons charged with the murder of two MONUC Military Observers in Mongbwalu in May 2003, and had escaped from the Bunia Prison on 13 January 2007, was captured by the PNC in Mongbwalu. He was sentenced in absentia to life imprisonment for war crimes by the Bunia Military Court on 19 February 2007. He was officially notified of his sentence by the Office of the Military Prosecutor in Bunia on 10 October. After the notification was delivered, his lawyer immediately filed a motion against the judgment, therefore effectively requesting a new trial for the accused. The new trial began on 23 October before the Bunia Military Tribunal.

45. In South-Kivu, on 27 October 2007, fifty-seven civilians, including 20 women, accused of practising witchcraft, were arbitrarily arrested in Luvungi -58 km north of Uvira- illegally detained, subjected to ill-treatment and subsequently transferred to Lemera -80 km north of Uvira- by elements of the FARDC 12th Integrated Brigade with the complicity of local traditional leaders. Local sources indicated that the 57 were detained under very inhumane conditions at the residence of the traditional leader (Mwami) of the Bafulero tribe to await tests aimed at determining if they were indeed involved in the practice of witchcraft.

All 57 detainees were released following the intervention of the UNHRO on 31st October and most of them were transported back to Luvungi. Comment: It’s important to point out that Congolese Law does not recognise witchcraft as an offence and therefore the arrest of the 57 civilians was completely arbitrary. The Mwami’s action is illegal and is punished under Art. 57 of the Penal Code.

46. In South-Kivu, two cases of mob justice were reported, respectively in Bukavu and Burhale, Territory of Walungu. In Bukavu, on the night of 29-30 October 2007, a civilian suspected of theft was lynched by the local population. In Burhale, another theft suspect was beaten to death by the local residents.

Prisons and other Detention Centres

47. On 1 October 2007, the inmates of Kindu Central Prison, Maniema Province, staged a violent protest against the appalling conditions at the detention facility. They prevented the rehabilitation work on a section of the prison and ransacked the Director’s office. The protest was provoked by a fight between two military inmates and a civilian, resulting in injury to all three. The situation was brought under control in the afternoon following the intervention of the PNC Provincial Inspector, the Public Prosecutor as well as the Military Prosecutor. The three injured and another inmate who had been sick for over two weeks were taken to the Kindu General Hospital for treatment.

48. On 16 October 2007, a 64-year-old man died while in detention at the Office of the Military Prosecutor holding cell in Lodja, Kasaï Oriental Province. The victim had allegedly been arbitrarily arrested and illegally detained over a period of 14 days for receiving stolen goods. Despite his deteriorating health condition, the victim was not granted bail to go to the local clinic. In reaction to his death, the local population staged a violent demonstration which was subsequently dispersed by the PNC. The Office of the Public Prosecutor has opened an investigation into the case.

49. Mass escapes from prisons and holding cells in the DRC continued throughout the reporting period. Cases were registered in Equateur Province and in Ituri. In Gemena, ten inmates escaped from the local central prison on the night of 17-18 October 2007. During the night of 16-17 October 2007, a group of 14 inmates, charged with serious crimes, including rape, murder and armed robbery reportedly escaped from the Mahagi Central Prison. On the night of 21-22 October 2007, ten suspects escaped from the PNC holding cell in Thedeja - 21 km southeast of Mahagi-Ituri. In Equateur Province, between 16 and 22 October 2007, five inmates escaped from the Gbadolite Central Prison - 950 km north of Mbandaka.

50. On the night of 22-23, an inmate escaped form the Kalemie Central Prison in North Katanga Province. Still in North-Katanga, on 13 October 2007, two PNC officers charged with rape escaped from the FARDC (Inspection Judiciaire Militaire) holding cell in Kongolo. The guard on duty was arrested and detained.

51. In Province Orientale, during a visit of the Ministers of Justice and Human Rights, nine inmates of the Kisangani Central prison were granted conditional release (libération conditionnelle) for having served a quarter of their sentences and for good behaviour, in compliance with Articles 35 and 38 of the penal Code.

52. During the night of 3-4 October 2007, an inmate escaped from the PNC holding cell in Aru, Ituri. The two FARDC soldiers on duty were allegedly drunk. They went into hiding after the escape. In Ituri, on 9 October 2007, two inmates escaped from the Bunia Central Prison. In North-Katanga, during the night of 4-5 October 2007, three inmates escaped from the Kalemie central prison.

DRC: Insecurity prompts political crisis in South Kivu – IRIN - 19 nov. 07 - 09.53h

KINSHASA, 16 November 2007 (IRIN) - Democratic Republic of Congo's war-ravaged province of South Kivu has been plunged into a political crisis after the governor rejected the provincial assembly's decision to sack him for mismanagement.

"I am not affected by this motion. I heard about it like everyone else but I have not been officially informed of the matter," Célestin Cibalonza told IRIN by phone.

Assembly members passed a motion of no-confidence against Cibalonza on 14 November, saying he had managed the province's affairs badly and had failed to tackle rampant insecurity.

A variety of armed Congolese and foreign groups are active in the province.

Under the constitution, a governor subjected to a no-confidence motion is supposed to hand his resignation to the national president within 24 hours and dissolve his provincial government.

"Since the governor refuses to bend, the dispute can only be resolved in the courts. But in the time that takes, the insecurity is likely to get worse," said Philippe Buyoya, a political scientist at Lubumbashi and Kinshasa universities.

Cibalonza's spokesman and provincial justice minister Alfred Maisha said the governor had formally called on the Supreme Court of Justice in Kinshasa and the court of appeal in Bukavu, South Kivu's capital, to throw out the no-confidence ruling. He said the assembly had given no notice of the motion's debate nor offered the governor a chance to defend himself.

Maisha told the AFP news agency that the assembly had created an "institutional crisis."

R. Mountain: Progress has been very disappointing bringing sexual violence perpetrators to justice - Nina Yacoubian / MONUC - 06 nov. 07 - 13.30h

With the continuous tense situation in East of the country triggering more sexual violence against women, we talked to MONUC Deputy Special Representative of the UN Secretary General, Ross Mountain, about this issue and the efforts that the international community and the DRC government are doing to solve the problem.

INTERVIEW

Is sexual violence a long term societal problem in the DRC or it is just a result of war?

The further tragic dimension is that while the conflict has largely stopped, this practice continues on.

The tradition, as I understand it, has been to look after women and protect them in the different societies. Therefore, it is very largely a result of a protracted conflict in this country.

The further tragic dimension of this, however, is that while the conflict has largely stopped, this practice continues on, and frankly, given the very large number of cases, it continues to face women across this country.

Did you get any statistics on the number of victims of sexual violence?

It is quite hard to get specific statistics. Overall, I am sorry to say that we are dealing literally with hundred of thousands of victims over the last couple of years. For example, there was a UNFPA survey of roughly half of the health centers, last year, and that found 50,000 cases reported. If that many cases were reported, how many cases are really there.

In South Kivu alone, in 2006, we were looking at something like 25,000 cases. This is an extraordinary large problem. It is not just an anecdotal problem but a massive one that demands we all combined try and make sure that essentially not only women who are victims of rape and abuse are treated but that sexual violence must stop.

Who are the perpetrators?

Historically, it has been men in uniform on demand and, indeed, they remain the largest perpetrators as well. Today, they include clearly militias and the armed forces of this country as well as, and I am sorry to say, the police. That remains the prime group of perpetrators.

At the same time, however, the proportion that has been committed now by civilians, who are not military and uniform personnel, is increasing. That is a very troubling sign.

Is the government doing anything special to change this situation?

The proportion that has been committed now by civilians is increasing. That is a very troubling sign.

The government has been involved with the international community in what is called the “initiative conjointe” which brings together a number of UN agencies as well as national and international civil society and various ministers.

They deal first with the treatment of victims such as medical treatment and psycho-social treatment, and then, with their reinsertion back into their community or another community because of the stigmatization problem that unfortunately lingers on.

The government is also concerned with the issue of bringing perpetrators to justice. I am sorry to say that this is the weakest part of this exercise. While some progress has been made on the treatment side, and we have remarkable examples like Panzi Hospital, and MSF Hospital in Bunia, in terms of bringing the perpetrators to justice, progress has been very disappointing.

There have been some examples, such as in Equateur, where some seventy eight members of the military battalion were accused of having raped nearly 120 women. With the support of the international community and MONUC human rights, we managed to get some 12 of them brought before military justice where about six were convicted.

Unfortunately, with the current state of the prisons in this country, after a month or two nobody was in custody. I offer this as an example of the challenge that is before us and that is why we are working with our government partners to see how we can focus indeed specially on the area of justice and impunity. Without that, we fear that the dissuasion that is necessary for those who continue to repeat such practices will not have effect.

What exactly MONUC is doing?

MONUC is very involved with the humanitarian community in the protection of civilians. Our military forces are deployed around internally displaced camps and accumulations to provide protection and to discourage violence against civilians.

Unfortunately, with the current state of the prisons in this country, after a month or two nobody was in custody.

MONUC combine with the UN country team here, which is in this area led particularly by the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) to put together an integrated program that deals with all aspects of this. We are actively working with government partners in terms of making sure that this is denounced at all levels, that such violations are reported.

We are doing what we can collectively to ensure that those who are identified can be brought to justice. It is a long road, but it is a road that certainly has been started and we are determined that progress will be made.

What are the humanitarian agencies doing for sexual violence victims?

In my capacity as a humanitarian coordinator, I do have fund at my disposal for humanitarian work. This is one of the areas we have prioritized to ensure that, on one hand, protection is provided to avoid more of this happening, and on the other hand, victims of sexual violence do receive the kind of comfort and support that is obviously very important.

Currently we are concerned about the conflict that is going on in North Kivu where since September, there are about 150,000 people, including women and children, who have been displaced from their homes. Indeed, since last December, we were up to 350,000 displaced. That means in the province as a whole, we have currently about 800,000 displaced persons.

Unfortunately, we have seen at the same time an increase of sexual violence in the province again mostly perpetrated by men in uniform and that is something that clearly the UN agencies and the NGO partners as well as MONUC military are very sensitive about and very concerned that they do all that is possible to, on one hand stop these thing from happening and protect the population, and, on the other hand, try to bring relief, comfort and care to those who are victims.

North Kivu: existence of mass graves - at least nine dead bodies found in Rubare - Nina Yacoubian / MONUC - 19 sep. 07 - 17.37h

At its weekly press conference on Wednesday 19 September 2007, MONUC confirmed the presence of at least nine dead bodies in Rubare, in the territory of Rutshuru, North Kivu. It was following allegations of the existence of mass graves that a mixed team composed of representatives from MONUC’s Human Rights division and the DRC Military Auditor went to the site to lead a preliminary investigation.

MONUC’s investigation team was able, on 10 September last, to verify the existence of three mass graves in Rubare, in the camp of the former headquarters of the 2nd Battalion of the Bravo Brigade who later left the camp on 2 September last, to support ex-general Laurent Nkunda,” said Michel Bonnardeaux, interim MONUC spokesperson.

“According to local sources, one week before the withdrawal of the 2nd Battalion, thirty civilians were detained in this camp, of which three succeeded in escaping,” he added.

On 11 September last, MONUC’s Human Rights division informed the Superior Military Auditor and the Garrison Military Auditor of the existence of these three mass graves. Some photos of the site, as well as information relating to the location and dimension of the graves was forwarded to the FARDC also,” explained Mr. Bonnardeaux.

This is not the first time that the finger has been pointed at the 2nd Battalion of the Bravo Brigade. The MONUC and Military Auditor General joint investigation on the 9-10 March 2007 massacre of 15 civilians in Buramba, also in Rutshuru, concluded that the soldiers of this battalion were also responsible.

Furthermore, MONUC’s Human Rights division is pursuing allegations that these soldiers may have conducted arbitrary executions of prisoners on numerous occasions before withdrawing from their military positions,” concluded Mr. Bonnardeaux.

North Kivu province was the theatre for clashes between the Armed Forces of the DRC (FARDC) and the soldiers of ex-general Nkunda which began on 27 August 2007, and lasted until 6 September 2007, when a cessation of hostilities was imposed.

Tens of thousands of people have been displaced from their homes: Each time it is the civilian population that suffers - E. Young & B. Grujic / MONUC - 14 sep. 07 - 16.55h

Tens of thousands of people have been displaced from their homes following the clashes in North Kivu province between troops loyal to ex General Laurent Nkunda and the DRC Armed Forces (FARDC). In an interview, Patrick Lavand’homme, head of the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in Goma explained the current humanitarian situation, and the efforts being made to assist those displaced.

Interview

What is the humanitarian situation now?

Since the clashes the first consequence was the lack of humanitarian access for NGOs and UN agencies on the ground. Therefore we are restricted in being fully able to check the humanitarian situation on the ground.

We made a report on population displacement, initially in a rather small way, and then we made some assessments of population movements, which increased as clashes increased.

Today there is several tens of thousands of families arriving into Goma, from Sake but also from zones south of Masisi, including Ngungu. We have tried our best to respond to the situation but as I said, we have a limited access and for the moment the humanitarians are concentrated on Goma, and on the southern axes of Sake.

All the other axes, towards Masisi, Kitchanga and Rutshuru are not accessible any more.

Where are the displaced people located, and in what numbers?

Today we only have cumulative numbers for those displaced since December 2006, when we had the first Sake crisis. There are displaced today who are still in these original sites. More recently we have 3,000 more internal displaced people in the camps, or in families of reception.

The principal zones of concentration are the axes north of Rutshuru, Goma and the most recent are on the southern axes of Sake towards Bweremana and there are many isolated pockets which are emerging every day.

We have telephone contacts with partners on the ground in Masisi, Kitchanga and Mueso, but we do not have a real access and therefore we don’t have precise figures.

What was the first humanitarian action to assist those displaced?

The first step was to give water, shelter kits, food and primary care health, primary assistance which will save lives.

But to assist those displaced one needs to do more than giving individuals shelter kits. It is also necessary to set up a census system, and we work with the committees for the displaced and then NGOs and UN agencies, to try to check these lists in order to be able to set up distributions.

Do you collabourate with the Congolese authorities?

There is indeed a collabouration with the Congolese authorities. Recently in Goma we had to identify a first site for the displaced with the reintegration minister for North Kivu. But this site was not sufficient, so it is necessary to identify other sites with the authorities.

We worked with the Congolese authorities on the protection of the population, in order to have the police force present around the sites, to avoid cases of rapes and other problems.

We asked the army not to have soldiers circulating in the zones where there are displaced people, and to make the soldiers understand that the assistance is humanitarian aid intended for civilians and not for soldiers. It is within this framework that we work with the authorities.

How have those displaced responded to the international community’s assistance?

For the displaced populations, it should be known that some have been displaced since November or December 2006. They are really very tired of being displaced. Those newly displaced were displaced at the time of the first clashes in late 2006.

Today they find themselves displaced again and there is an enormous frustration at the level of the population.

It is a frustration towards the government, but also towards the UN agencies and NGOs because they pose overall questions as to who is responsible, who has done what?

But I think they are starting to have a comprehension of the mission of the international humanitarians, NGOs and UN agencies who are here trying to ease their suffering as much as possible.

Overall they are in a very precarious situation. I would like to add that it is a worrying situation. There is nothing but displaced people. In Rutshuru, there is a huge amount of displaced people in host families which has given them hospitality for the last six or nine months.

These host families have become poor in assisting their compatriots. More and more the host families are suffering because of insecurity, with less and less access on the ground. They are not able to cultivate the land, and thus there is real impoverishment in the whole of Rutshuru and Masisi.

How do you feel the situation will evolve in the days and weeks to come?

Today, we are in a relatively calm situation, as there is a suspension of hostilities between the two parties, the dissidents and the FARDC. One has the impression of being in the eye of the storm, which is to say we are in a calm period, but we don’t know what what will happen next.
We are very afraid. All the humanitarians had already envisaged a contingency plan since July, to cater for more than 280,000 newly displaced in the province.
One is approaching this scenario more and more and we are really appealing to have a political solution, a negotiated solution, so that the weapons will stop firing, because each time it is the civilian population that suffers.

'State of war' - Congo rebels seize gorilla park – Gen Nkunda want killed more 3/9/2007

Rebels in the Democratic Republic of Congo have taken control of large parts of the Virunga National Park, home to rare mountain gorillas.

The move has raised fears for the fate of the gorillas. Only 700 remain - half of which are in Virunga.

Meanwhile, the army says it has killed at least 28 troops loyal to rebel General Laurent Nkunda in the latest fighting in eastern DR Congo.

Some 170,000 people have fled the area this year, says the UN refugee agency.

"If anything happens to the mountain gorillas now, there is nothing we can do," said Norbert Mushenzi of the Congolese Institute for the Conservation of Nature (ICCN).

"As of today, the sector is no longer under my control and we have been rendered powerless by these actions."

Nine gorillas have been killed this year, allegedly by Gen Nkunda's men, sparking outrage among conservationists.

'State of war'

Gen Nkunda's forces are believed to have moved into the park in pursuit of Rwandan Hutu rebels, who have bases there.

Officials from local conservation group, Wildlife Direct, say the forces looted weapons and communication equipment from Jomba and Bikenge ranger patrol posts within the park.

Gen Nkunda, a Tutsi, has accused the government of forming an alliance against him with the Hutu FDLR, accused of involvement in the 1994 Rwandan genocide of Tutsis.

After Tutsis took control in Rwanda, they crossed the border into eastern DR Congo.

Over the weekend, Gen Nkunda told the BBC there was a "state of war" in North Kivu.

The United Nations says up to 10,000 people have fled fighting into Uganda.

The UN refugee agency says it is organising shelter for those who fled the violence Monday night and wish to stay on the Ugandan side of the frontier.

Following a visit by Rwandan Foreign Minister Charles Murigande to Kinshasa, DR Congo has promised to increase its operations against the FDLR.

Rwanda has twice invaded its large neighbour, saying it is trying to stop the FDLR from attacking its territory.

Peacekeepers

BBC Kinshasa correspondent Arnaud Zajtman says that the two countries are still divided by the same issues - DR Congo wants Rwanda to reign in Tutsi fighters, such as Gen Nkunda, while Rwanda wants DR Congo to stop the activities of the Hutu rebels, known as the FDLR.

Last month, Rwanda protested against DR Congo's move to call off an offensive against the FDLR.

Mr Murigande and his Congolese counterpart Mbusa Nyamwisi also asked the UN to intensify patrols in the east of the country where fighting is raging.

The UN has some 17,000 peacekeepers in DR Congo - the largest such force in the world and has sent an extra 200 troops to the region after the latest fighting.

The BBC's Arnaud Zaitjman in Kinshasa says the ministers have also agreed to form a commission to ensure that Congolese ethnic Tutsis who are refugees in Rwanda are repatriated.

Fragile truce holds after fierce fighting in eastern DRC – AFP - 03 sep. 07 - 16.04h

GOMA, DRCongo — A fragile truce held in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo on Saturday as an EU representative urged greater cooperation between fractious neighbours Rwanda and the DRC.

"We are concerned by the situation in the east of the DRC. We hope to see commitments made by the countries in the region put into action," the EU special representative to Africa's Great Lakes region, Roeland van de Geer, told AFP in an interview.

The appeal followed a series of recent clashes in the eastern DRC's troubled Nord-Kivu province between troops loyal to renegade general Laurent Nkunda and government forces as well as Rwandan insurgents.

Several regular army troops have been killed in the clashes, described as "extremely heavy" on Friday by the UN Observer Mission in the DRC, known as MONUC.

On Saturday, the situation in Nord-Kivu remaind "very tense", said MONUC spokeswoman Sylvie van den Wildenburg.

"We are continuing to exercise strong pressure to avoid a resumption of fighting and we have brought initial emergency assistance, mainly medicines, to the hospitals in Masisi," the main regional town, she added.

MONUC has deployed around 4,300 peacekeepers in Nord-Kivu, out of a total force of 17,500 UN troops in the country.

"We are ready to negotiate a peace plan, but the government doesn't want to," Nkunda told AFP on Saturday.

"I am not at war. But if the government attacks me again, I am going to respond."

Colonel Philemon Kav, an army brigade commander, has said Nkunda's forces sustained "heavy losses" when they launched a pre-dawn offensive on Thursday in a bid to overrun a key post at Katale, south of Masisi, the main regional town.

One soldier was killed and 29 wounded in that assault, Yav said.

Nkunda, a powerful warlord, says he is protecting his own minority Tutsi population in Nord- and Sud-Kivu provinces from locally based Rwandan Hutu FDLR rebels, who he has accused the DRC government of backing.

The EU's Van de Geer said he had discussions with all the parties to try to find "concrete solutions" to the problems posed by Nkunda and by the repatriation of the FDLR to Rwanda.

He gave no details of the contents of those discussions.

"Officially, the positions of Kinshasa and Kigali are relatively close," the EU official said, adding however that "they must strengthen cooperation between the two capitals."

He added: "We want the commitments that have been made to be respected and it is very important that there be a direct dialogue between the two countries, here, in Kinshasa."

The UN says more than 170,000 civilians have been displaced in fighting in the region since the beginning of the year.

After previous bouts of fierce fighting last year between the regular army and forces loyal to Nkunda, the two sides agreed to integrate the mainly Tutsi forces into special "mixed" brigades in Nord-Kivu. Five such brigades have been deployed since January but UN monitors say this has only worsened the situation.

On Friday, it seemed apparent to western observers that the rivals were gearing up for heavy fighting.

"Calm yes, but this is like the eve of battle," a Western security official said. "Each side is reorganising, taking up new positions before likely further hostilities."

Need Investigation: uranium smuggling scandal – Reuters - 13 mar. 07 - 09.18h

KINSHASA (Reuters) - Democratic Republic of Congo has provisionally released the country's top nuclear researcher, arrested last week on suspicion of belonging to an international ring to illegally export uranium, a minister said on Monday.

Minister of Scientific Research Sylvanus Mushi said he was deeply disappointed by the release from custody on Saturday of Commissioner General for Atomic Energy Fortunat Lumu, just four days after he was arrested with one of his colleagues.

Mushi, recently appointed as part of a new government, accuses the two men of illegally negotiating partnerships with foreign companies. He said he learned of Lumu's release on Monday morning.

"This was a great disappointment, because we haven't yet uncovered everything there is to uncover," Mushi told Reuters. "(Lumu's) presence outside of custody will seriously harm any chance of succeeding with this investigation."

Lumu declined to comment, saying he would not speak publicly while the investigation was ongoing.

Mushi last week denounced a deal signed between Lumu and a subsidiary of UK-listed Brinkley Mining to mine and export uranium in the vast mineral-rich central African nation. He said the deal, agreed last year under a post-war transitional government, was part of what he called "a criminal enterprise".

Don Strang, Brinkley Mining's executive director for finance, told Reuters Monday the company had done nothing wrong.

"The agreement stands as originally announced. That's the line we stand by. There's nothing that would weaken the arrangement," he said.

Strang said he expected the matter to be clarified in the next 48 hours.

"It's been raised with the relevant people. I think it's all being sorted out," he said.

Former minister of scientific research, Gerard Kamanda wa Kamanda, Lumu's boss at the time the deal was signed, said on Monday that the accusations against the nuclear chief are unfounded and the agreement with Brinkley Mining was legal.

"The declarations of the new minister are dangerous. He seems to be refusing the regulation of this sector and wants to push out the man who heads the controlling agency for radioactive materials. That's worrying," he said.

"We are talking about the management of sensitive materials. This company was to help us do so transparently."

Mushi said last week there was no evidence to support Congolese press reports that around 100 uranium bars had disappeared from the nuclear research centre where Lumu works.

Why his mobile phone (cell phone) was disconnected 2 days before?

Why they ask him to go to work on the bank holiday?

Why the criminals check his body before to go, to make sure if Hermas is really dead?

Hermas’ Death: The first trial started on Tuesday the 27^th February 2007 at Kinshasa and continued.

Born in Democratic Republic of Congo in 1963. After his Degree in Sociology at University in Congo (Lubumbashi), He went to continue his studies in Geneva University in Switzerland to study Town Planning. After his Master Degree He decides to go back home to rebuilt the country. He was working with Government and United Nations project CONADER; Project of Mobilisation and Disarmament of Child Soldier, Facilitate of Unification of the Army and Restore Peace after many years of War in Congo.

Hermas died on the 8^th April 2005 around 7.30 pm after assassination at the Petrol station in Kinshasa Town Area, near he was living. After many shot in air, armed group shot him inside the Petrol Station’s Shop. Hermas was Pastor, married and father of 4, his wife is also Sociologist.

Please don't hesitate to contact us.

Bas-Congo: 134 deaths - Appeals Court orders a second round of governor elections - E. Young & B. Alao / MONUC - 08 feb. 07 - 13.04h

The Bas-Congo Appeals Court has reached a verdict in relation to the closely contested governor elections, and has demanded the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) to organise a second round of governor elections, for the positions of governor and vice governor for the province.

The exact date for the second round will be fixed by the Independent Electoral Commission. In the first round of governor elections, which was held on Saturday January 27 2007, independent candidate Simon Mbatshi, who is closely allied to the AMP-the political platform of President Kabila- won 51.72% of the votes.

His total represented 15 votes out of a total of 29, against the MLC candidate of Fuka Unzola, who obtained 14 votes, or 48.28%.

The nomination of Mr. Mbatshi led to allegations of election corruption by the political religious group Bunda Dia Kongo (BDK), in a province that is widely considered to be an MLC stronghold.

Prior to a planned BDK protest march on February 1 2007, Congolese Police raided a home of the BDK leader in Bas-Congo’s capital Matadi on January 31 last, which led to widespread violent unrest in the province, causing the deaths of an estimated 134 people.

In collabouration with the DRC Authorities, MONUC has already deployed to Matadi 61 officers of a formed police unit (FPU), who are specially trained in riot and crowd control. This is in addition to a Mobile Operating Base, consisting of 104 troops, which will be deployed in the coastal town of Muanda, the scene of many fatalities.

This will bring the total number of MONUC troops stationed in the province to close to 270. In addition, a MONUC human rights team is also currently carrying out a detailed investigation into the unrest of January 31 and February 1, and are meeting with local authorities and carrying out interviews with victims and witnesses.

Furthermore, the Governor of Bas-Congo has put in place six judicial commissions to investigate the unfortunate events of last week, and a preliminary report was published on February 7 last.

The report has laid the blame for the unrest on the BDK members, and General Mbuayama Nsiona, the commander of the 2nd military region, as well as Mr. Mukendo, the Provincial Inspector of the Bas-Congo police, have subsequently been suspended from their positions.

WHO KILLED HERMAS MUPOLO? 10/08/2005

Born in Democratic Republic of Congo in 1963.

After his Degree in Sociology at University in Congo (Lubumbashi), He went to continue his studies in Geneva University in Switzerland to learn Town Planning.

After the Master Degree He decides to go back home to rebuilt the country.

He was working with Government and United Nations project CONADER; Project of Mobilisation and Disarmament of Child Soldier, Facilitate of Unification of the Army and Restore Peace after many years of War in Congo.

Hermas died Yesterday 8^th April 2005 around 7.30 pm after assassination at the Petrol station in Kinshasa Town Area, near he was living.

After many shot in air, armed group shot him inside the Petrol Station’s Shop.

Hermas was Christian, married father of 4, his wife is also Sociology by profession.

Hermas’ Family is in the dangerous situation.

The human rights organisation demand investigations about this case and others who was killed.

Adsad Team

Nous rapportons le rapport de l'Avocat recu de Kinshasa / Republique Democratique du Congo.29/11/2005

Les assassins ont été arrêtés (ils sont cinq au total : une femme nommee BABADJI LUKENU qui se trouve au Pavillon 9 de CPRK et quatre hommes). Ils ont avoué avoir tué le jeune frère du Dr Soni Mukwenze Emmanuel et auraient même confessé avoir touché une somme importante en dollars américains; mais depuis, la Justice traîne les pieds et l’affaire n’est même pas fixée au niveau du Tribunal. Et comme on sait que beaucoup d’argent et certaines personnalités sont impliquées personne n’en parle, faisant semblant de ne rien connaître. C’est très facile à comprendre, les intouchables ainsi que le pouvoir lui même sont derrière. Tout le monde sait que le Pasteur HERMAS MUPOLO a refusé comme d'ailleurs personnes honnêtes, de tremper dans la corruption où les agents du pouvoir auraient voulu l’entraîner. A cause de lui, ils avaient mal à voler les millions de dollars injectés dans la CONADER par la Communauté Internationale. Voila pour quoi ils l’ont tué. C’est bien là le triste sort des justes ou des honnêtes gens qui veulent le bien et la paix du Congo.

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL
Public Statement about KUTINO FERNANDO

Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC): Acts of political repression on the increase - 4 July 2006

Amnesty International today condemned as flagrantly unfair a trial by military tribunal that resulted on 16 June in heavy prison sentences against evangelical church leader Pasteur Fernando Kutino, his colleague, Pasteur Timothée Bompere, and a third man, Junior Nganda. Amnesty International also condemned as illegal the expulsion from the country on 15 June of Supreme Court lawyer Mukadi Bonyi.

Amnesty International considers that Pasteur Fernando Kutino and his co-defendants, who were accused of illegal possession of firearms, criminal conspiracy and attempted murder, have been deprived of their right to a fair hearing by a competent, independent and impartial court of law. The organization is concerned that the trial by military tribunal was summary and that some of the evidence presented by the prosecutor against the accused was extracted under torture. The organization is calling for the verdicts in this case to be set aside. If the state believes that there is enough admissible evidence, the case should be heard before a properly constituted civilian court which respects international standards of fair trial and excludes the possibility of the death penalty. In the absence of a fair trial before a civilian court, Amnesty International believes that the imprisoned men should be released.

Amnesty International is also concerned by the arbitrary and unlawful expulsion on 15 June of lawyer Mukadi Bonyi, following a week of incommunicado detention. Maître Mukadi Bonyi was denied the opportunity to contest the allegations against him, the legality of his detention, or the decision to expel him before a judge or other properly-constituted legal authority.

Amnesty International believes that the accusations against all these men were politically motivated. The unlawful and arbitrary conduct of the state authorities in these cases represents a deterioration in respect for human rights in the DRC amid an already tense political atmosphere in advance of elections set for 30 July. The organization is concerned that state security services -- notably those reportedly accountable only to DRC President Joseph Kabila and his special security advisor, including the services spéciaux (Special Services) police -- appear to be acting in an increasingly repressive manner towards perceived political opponents and critics.

The organization appeals to the DRC government to uphold, and to direct its security services to fully respect the right to liberty and the rights to freedom of expression and association guaranteed by the Constitution of the DRC and by the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the African Charter on Human and People's Rights (ACHPR), treaties to which the DRC is a state party.

Background about Pasteur Kutino

Pasteur Kutino, who had only recently returned to the DRC after three years in exile, was detained by services spéciaux police after a speech he made on 14 May to a large crowd in the capital, Kinshasa. His speech was reportedly critical of so-called foreign influence over the DRC's transitional government and called for an inclusive national dialogue between Congolese political parties before the elections. The initial charge against him was 'incitement to hatred' ('incitation à la haine'). However, he and the two other men appeared before a military tribunal on 31 May on charges of illegal possession of firearms ('détention illégale d'armes de guerre'), criminal conspiracy ('association des malfaiteurs'), and attempted murder ('tentative d'assassinat'). The prosecution alleged that the arms had been discovered by police during a search of Pasteur Kutino's Armée de Victoire (Army of Victory) church at the time of arrest. The other charges relate to an alleged conspiracy to kill the leader of another church, Pasteur Ngalasi, in 2003, apparently over a property dispute.

The trial before a military tribunal was held at the Inspectorat Provincial de Kinshasa (IPK), the Kinshasa Provincial Inspectorate, a police headquarters in the city. On 16 June the tribunal sentenced Pasteur Kutino to 20 years' imprisonment, Pasteur Timothée Bompere to 10 years' imprisonment, and Junior Nganda to 20 years'. The verdicts are being appealed. Two other men, 'Patu' and Freddy Musamu, were tried and sentenced in absentia to heavy prison terms, while another man was acquitted.

The trial, in which the prosecution demanded the death penalty, was summary, lasting for only nine sittings despite the seriousness and complexity of the charges. The accused maintained their innocence, Pasteur Kutino protesting that his only “offence” had been to exercise his right to freedom of expression. A request by defence lawyers for the case to be transferred to a civilian court as the proper jurisdiction was rejected by the tribunal. Pasteur Kutino was not present for most of the trial, stating that he was too ill to attend. His lawyers filed a request for adjournment which the tribunal rejected, despite medical evidence supporting Pasteur Kutino's claim. On 7 June, defence lawyers walked out of the tribunal, protesting the conduct of the trial. At the time of delivery of the verdict, neither the accused nor their lawyers were present.

The evidence against the men is disputed. One of the detainees, Junior Nganda, alleged that testimony he gave to police in 2003 over the alleged murder attempt was obtained through torture while he was detained at the IPK police detention centre. Amnesty International has recently publicly documented reports of torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment at the IPK (see AI Urgent Action AFR 62/012/2006, published on 8 May 2006). Nevertheless the tribunal reportedly continued to rely on parts of this testimony in its deliberations. Other evidence relied on testimony, recorded on video, which was again allegedly obtained under torture at the IPK in 2003 of a man, Maboso Lisasi, who has since died in detention. No independent investigations on these allegations of torture have been carried out. The alleged intended victim of the murder plot, Pasteur Ngalasi, apparently refused to implicate Pasteur Kutino or his associates directly, restricting his deposition only to the fact that in 2002 and 2003 he had brought legal complaints against 'persons unknown' for armed attacks at his home. Irregularities were also alleged in the state's handling of the weapons' evidence.

In the second case, Maître Mukadi Bonyi, a lawyer at the DRC's Supreme Court of Justice and university professor, who served also as legal adviser to Oscar Kashala, a presidential candidate in the forthcoming elections, was arrested by the services spéciaux police in Kinshasa on 8 June. After a week in incommunicado detention he was taken to the airport and summarily expelled from the country to Belgium on 15 June. The reasons for his arrest and expulsion have not been made clear, but followed the expulsion in May 2006 of 32 so-called “foreign mercenaries” whom state authorities, to widespread incredulity, alleged were preparing a coup d'état. These men, from South Africa, Nigeria and the USA, had, it is reported, been engaged to work as private security personnel for Oscar Kashala and his political party. Maître Mukadi Bonyi had been involved in submitting legal applications to the DRC authorities that would license the men to carry firearms in the DRC. Although Congolese by birth, he is reportedly the holder of a Belgian passport. Amnesty International understands that another lawyer, Maître Lumbala Ilunga detained at around the same time as Maître Mukadi Bonyi, has since been released.

Nous rapportons le rapport de l'Avocat recu de Kinshasa / Republique Democratique du Congo.29/11/2005

Les assassins ont été arrêtés (ils sont cinq au total : une femme nommee BABADJI LUKENU qui se trouve au Pavillon 9 de CPRK et quatre hommes). Ils ont avoué avoir tué le jeune frère du Dr Soni Mukwenze Emmanuel et auraient même confessé avoir touché une somme importante en dollars américains; mais depuis, la Justice traîne les pieds et l’affaire n’est même pas fixée au niveau du Tribunal. Et comme on sait que beaucoup d’argent et certaines personnalités sont impliquées personne n’en parle, faisant semblant de ne rien connaître. C’est très facile à comprendre, les intouchables ainsi que le pouvoir lui même sont derrière. Tout le monde sait que le Pasteur HERMAS MUPOLO a refusé comme d'ailleurs personnes honnêtes, de tremper dans la corruption où les agents du pouvoir auraient voulu l’entraîner. A cause de lui, ils avaient mal à voler les millions de dollars injectés dans la CONADER par la Communauté Internationale. Voila pour quoi ils l’ont tué. C’est bien là le triste sort des justes ou des honnêtes gens qui veulent le bien et la paix du Congo.

La femme du Pasteur KUSONIKA KALALA ROMUALD et ses enfants seraient portés disparus.

Dans le souci de vous informer, en ce qui concerne la lutte contre les abus de droits de l’homme, ADSAD ne ménage aucun effort pour fouiller les informations, à mettre à votre disposition dans le dossier du Révérend Pasteur KUSONIKA KALALA ROMUALD, médecin de son état, un élément nouveau vient de s'ajouter. En effet, nous avons reçu une information selon laquelle il serait en Angleterre, et non aux arrêts. C'est plutôt sa famille, c'est à dire sa femme et ses enfants qui seraient portés disparus jusqu'a ces jours. Sont-ils en détention ou seraient-ils en fuite, nous ne saurons pas le dire pour le moment. Notre souci est de voir les droits de l'homme être respecté, comme sous d'autres cieux notamment en Grande Bretagne, aux USA, en France et tant d'autres pays. Notre pays perd tous les jours des cerveaux, des paisibles citoyens qui seraient pourtant utiles a la société, tout simplement par le non respect ces droits de l'homme. Nous déplorons cette situation et disons non aux abus des droits de l'homme.

Qui veut tuer le Docteur KUSONIKA KALALA?

Plusieurs Pasteurs sont en danger parce qu'ils refusent de tremper dans la Corruption. La période des élections en République démocratique du Congo vient avec l'insécurité dans le pays. Le dossier du pasteur Hermas MUPOLO continuera a laisser couler beaucoup d'encre, depuis que certains hommes de Dieu continuent à chercher les pistes de sa mort. Le Coordonnateur du ministère du Rev. Dr SONI MUKWENZE, le pasteur KUSONIKA KALALA Romuald, médecin de son état, dans la poursuite de sa lutte contre les abus des droits de l'homme, aurait été arrêté en date du 21 Juillet 2006, d'après nos informations. Nous savons

aussi qu'en début septembre 2005, il a passé deux mauvaises semaines dès son retour de la Grande Bretagne, puis relégué dans son village natal,au lieu d'être utile à la population en tant que médecin. Que lui arriverait-il?

Adsad Team.

WHO KILLED HERMAS MUPOLO? we need your help.

Hermas Mupolo is a brother of the founder of Adsad and former Adsad's President.

Né en République Démocratique du Congo, Hermas Mupolo travaillé avec un projet des Nations Unies en partenariat avec le Gouvernement. Le Projet CONADER s'occupait du désarmement et démobilisation des soldats en RDC. Il travaillé comme responsable de la logistique.

Après sa licence en Sociologie, Hermas a travaillé avec les Humanitaires dans World Vision.

Après une Maîtrise en Urbanisme et Aménagement du territoire à l’Université de Genève, Hermas est rentré en RDC pour servir son pays.

Hermas a été tué ce vendredi 8 avril 2005 aux environs des 19h30 dans la Station d’essence de Binza Delvaux assassiné par une femme et quatre hommes armés sous l’œil de la police.

Nous demandons qu’une enquête soit faite pour arrêter les responsables de cet acte incivique et barbare. Nous signalons que plusieurs autres personnes ont été victimes de cette barbarie.

Adsad Team

Certains Pasteurs en danger parce qu'ils refusent de tremper dans la Corruption.

Parmi les personnes victimes on peut compter:

Le Dr Soni Mukwenze Emmanuel, Grand frere de Pasteur Hermas Mupolo, assassine le 08 avril 2005. Le Dr Soni Mukwenze est toujours en danger suite a l'impact du travail qu'il fait comme Pasteur et Directeur des Ecoles Bibliques, et pour avoir refuse la corruption a la quelle certaines personnes sont trempees.

Le Révérend Albert LUKUSA( Pasteur et de l’Eglise VIENS et VOIS de Lubumbashi) empoisonné pendant son emprisonnement et mort après que le Gouvernement lui ait refusé la sortie pour se faire soigner à l’Etranger;

le Docteur Apôtre SIKATENDA IYADI ( Eglise du Dieu Vivant de SIKATENDE) vient d’être empoisonné et en est mort il y a quelques jours;

le Pasteur MBIYE ( Eglise CITE BETHEL) a été empoisonné et aujourd’hui devenu invalide;

Le Pasteur MUKUNA ( Eglise ACK/Bandal a failli être empoisonné et vient de démissionner de l’E.R.C. ;

le Chantre chrétien célèbre Patrice NGOY MUSOKO dont l’information sur son empoisonnement s’amplifie de plus en plus.

Tout récemment et pour la seconde fois, la résidence de l'Apôtre NTAMBU LUKOKI (Eglise FOI AUDACIEUSE) a été saccagée et ses véhicules sauvagement endommagés par des hommes armés, malgré la garde qu’on lui avait attribuée par la Police après les premières menaces, il n’a eu la vie sauve que parce qu’il se trouvait en Europe.

La situation de menaces résidentielles régulières s’apparente avec celle de Révérend Dr Aggrey NGALASI de l’Eglise La Louange qui est consécutivement pillé à domicile ces deux dernières années.

En Juin dernier, les église indépendantes et charismatiques du Congo avaient été farouchement touchées lorsque votre ami personnel le Révérend Pasteur MICHAEL MONGANE de Church on the Rock International a été également empoisonné et en est mort ;

et de la mort par noyade jamais décortiquée du fils de Prophète Daniel KAWATA à la même période.

Alors qu’on commençait d’oublier les cas de la mort mystérieuse du Pasteur NDONGE qui est survenue un mois après qu’il était nommé Secrétaire Général d’un Parti Politique Chrétien;

Des morts brutales du Révérend LUKESO Lwansi, Pasteur de Rajec et du Révérend KANGUDI, le fameux interprète des Evangélistes internationaux ;

Ainsi que des arrestations et la fuite du Pasteur Fernando KUTINO (Responsable du ministère Armée de Victoire et de la Radio Télévision Message RTMV) après qu’il est initié le mouvement ‘Sauvons le Congo’. Ce dernier est encore vivant parce qu’il a pu trouver asile en France.

Très récemment encore un célèbre professeur de l’Institut Pédagogique National, connu pour ses positions opposées à celles du Gouvernement venait d’être assassiné chez lui à la maison.

Vous avais appris que quelques semaines après l’assassinat du Pasteur Hermas Mupolo, un prêtre catholique très critique à l’égard du Gouvernement a été trouvé assassiné dans la Commune de Mont Ngafula / Kinshasa.

Adsad Team