UN confirms mass rapes in villages in eastern DR Congo

[News_Editor]

UN confirms mass rapes in villages in eastern DR Congo

2011-07-02 00:01:20 GMT+7 (ICT)

UNITED NATIONS (BNO NEWS) -- The United Nations on Friday confirmed that government troops committed mass rapes in several remote villages in the eastern region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

A joint UN assessment mission found out that troops serving with the Congolese armed forces, known as the FARDC, raped at least 121 women and subjected villagers to cruel and degrading treatment around June 11.

The information was confirmed by residents of Nyakiele in the province of South Kivu who added that the soldiers attacked at least another village in the area in the past month.

Furthermore, residents denounced that troops stole approximately $90,000 in cash and gold as well as 157 goats. Then, they forced villagers to transport the looted goods for them.

Following the reports, an assessment team comprising UN human rights and humanitarian officials, as well as provincial authorities and a staff from a non governmental organization (NGO) were rushed to Nyakiele.

The mass rapes were first reported by Amnesty International which claimed that fighters of a former armed group integrated into the Congolese army deserted from an army training camp and raped possibly up to 100 women.

According to AI, senior officer of the Congolese army, Colonel Kifaru Niragiye, and approximately 150 of his soldiers were responsible for the mass rapes in Nyakiele. The Colonel defected after learning he was going to be demoted following a training course at Kananda military training center in South Kivu.

The group also allegedly raided other villages in the area and civilians were forced to carry stolen goods. In February, Colonel Kifaru's deputy and eight other men were convicted and jailed by a military court for 'crimes against humanity' and for raping at least 60 women in an attack on Fizi town in early January .

The confirmation came just one day after the UN Security Council extended the mandate of UN Organization Stabilization Mission in DR Congo (MONUSCO), tasked with monitoring the ceasefire and disengagement of forces.

MONUSCO replaced the UN Organization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUC) which was set following the signing of the Lusaka Ceasefire Agreement in July 1999 between the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and five regional States.

A UN report, published last year, documented abuses committed between 1993 and 2003 in DR Congo, including more than 300 women, men, boys and girls systematically raped in North Kivu. It also pointed out that the weakness of the Congolese justice system is a major obstacle to ensuring justice for human rights violations.

-- © BNO News All rights reserved 2011-07-02