DRC (Fizi) : residents denounce barriers erected by the Mai-Mai Yakutumba
In the territory of Fizi in the province of South Kivu in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Mai-Mai, an armed group operating in this territory, threaten the peace of inhabitants. According to the latter, this armed gang has erected barriers on the roads and sections to ransom them. Traders and gold miners are the most targeted – a situation that worsened after the passage of a deputy elected in this constituency. Justin Bitakwira is said to have asked the Mai-Mai Yakutumba to leave the bush to attack the Banyamulenge in particular. INFO SOS Médias Burundi
The Mai-Mai Yakutumba barriers are located in Makabola, Munene, Swima, Milimba, Kadegu, Mukera, Nakatete, Ilambo, Chabula and Kanande.
“From Bukavu to Uvira and Baraka, there are at least 5 Mai-Mai Yakutumba barriers. Inhabitants who pass through must each pay 1000 Congolese francs”, says John, a resident of Bukavu after his trip.
This is also the case for Amisi who lives in the city of Uvira who made the trip from Mukera to Lugezi. “There are three Mai-Mai Yakutumba barriers. I had to pay three times like the other passengers”, he stressed.
Residents also claim that the Mai-Mai extort money from restaurant, hotel and shop owners who say they pay 5,000 Congolese francs each per month.
These Mai-Mai Yakutumba barriers in the Fizi territory were reinforced after a meeting with national MP Justin Bitakwira. He asked the Mai-Mai to leave the bush and go and to attack the Banyamulenge in particular.
It should be noted that the Mai-Mai are also accused of killings, looting, kidnapping and torture of civilians.
Representatives of the Banyamulenge community, targeted by genocide, according to several alerts from human rights organisations and legal experts, described Mr Bitakwira’s remarks as a call for lynching and called on Congolese authorities to “act and protect the Banyamulenge”, explaining that massacres against members of this community have intensified over the last seven years.
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