Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Kinshasa (Agenzia Fides) – There are about 120 victims due to the massacres perpetrated in the territory of Beni, in North Kivu, during the month of October. The massacres are attributed to the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), an armed group of Ugandan origin but active in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, as stated in a note sent to Agenzia Fides by the Network for Peace in Congo on the latest episodes of violence in the region (see Fides 24/11/2014).
The document, citing recent studies, traces a more complex scenario in which the ADF is often used as a pretext by others. "According to the journalist Caroline Hellyer - the report says - it is possible that the recent massacres committed in the territory of Beni were carried out by the ADF, but could also have been committed by some Mai-Mai militiamen (local militias of "self-defense", but have degenerated in bandit groups, ed.) since they have close links with the ADF. When they have common interests, in fact, the ADF and some Mai-Mai armed groups can work together, and then dissociate when there are no more common interests. According to the journalist, it should be recalled that the ADF have been living in the eastern DRC for over 25 years and therefore, have created and maintained strong local connections".
"The members of the ADF have mingled with the population. Some of them may be neighbors. Others may be active only temporarily. In short, the ADF are part of a wider network, consisting of local politicians and military officers, strongmen and groups based on economic interests. This criminal network has often taken precedence over certain areas of trade, the local economy, society, army, politics and administration".
In order to resolve this situation, one needs to initiate investigations on the true origin of the attacks and massacres perpetrated in the territory of Beni against civilian populations and punish the perpetrators and accomplices of these massacres; initiate investigations into the embezzlement of military salaries by certain officers of the army and on the illegal trade in which other military officers are involved; make the necessary changes in the chain of command of the operational area of Beni, in order to have a military command above all suspicion. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 26/11/2014)
