ConflictBarometer_2016

SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA
DR CONGO (MAYI-MAYI ET AL.)
Intensity: 4 | Change: | Start: 2003
Conflict parties: Mayi-Mayi groups vs. Nyatura groups
vs. Raia Mutomboki vs. APCLS vs.
FDLR vs. government
Conflict items: subnational predominance, resources
The conflict over subnational predominance and resources in
the Provinces of North and South Kivu, Ituri and Haut-Katanga,
between local armed groups, on the one side, and foreign
armed groups, the Armed Forces of the DR Congo (FARDC),
supported by MONUSCO, on the other, continued as a limited
war. Most local militias had originally emerged as armed resistance
against Rwandan-supported armed groups, such as
the Rally for Congolese Democracy, or Rwandan-originated
armed groups and the Democratic Forces for the Liberation
of Rwanda (FDLR) [→ DR Congo, Rwanda (FDLR)]. After more
than 20 years of fighting, the groups had split into numerous,
sometimes opposing factions of varying size and strength,
predominantly named after their commanders. Apart from
clashing with other armed actors, the groups continued to
attack civilians, engaged in pillaging and illegal taxation, and
benefited from the control over gold mines. By the end of the
year, the conflict left at least 380 people dead and tens of
thousands displaced.
Different factions of Raia Mutomboki (RM) continued operating
in South Kivu's Territories Kabare, Kalehe, Walungu, and
Shabunda. On January 9, FARDC thwarted an RM attack on
the village Kambali in Kalehe. In early February, more than
12,000 people fled their villages in northern Shabunda after
warnings of upcoming RM operations. Another 10,000 were
displaced from Kaligila, Kamango et Mintoko in Shabunda
on February9due to violent encounters between FARDC and
RM militants. During the fighting four civilians were abducted,
goods pillaged and two ferries destroyed. In mid-April, RM led
by Kokodikoko and Dembi Kaboyi took another 55 civilians
hostage in Kifuko and Kamituga, Shabunda. Reportedly, the
militants raped several and plundered goods. Between July
10 and 12, 7,400 civilians were displaced in Kahele Territory
due to fighting between two rival RM factions. On July 20,
RM Makombo and FARDC clashed in Bamuguba, Shabunda,
leaving two militants dead. More than 27 people were raped
by RM fighters in Penekusu et Nyalukungu, Shabunda, on October
28. Around 3,000 people fled the area. On December
5, FARDC killed three RM fighters in Byangama, Shabunda.
Different RM factions were also active in the North Kivu Territories
of Walikale and Lubero. On June 2, Congolese soldiers
clashed with RM Bunyakiri fighters in Kangoroma, Walikale,
killing one militant. On September 6, RM fighters killed a
FARDC soldier during fighting in Mayuna, Walikale. In Lubero,
a coalition of RM, Mayi-Mayi Mazembe and Mayi-Mayi Guidon
attacked a FARDC position on September 4, killing several soldiers
and civilians.
The ethnic Hutu Nyatura militias mainly operated in Walikale,
Masisi, Lubero and Rutshuru Territories, North Kivu. Throughout
the year, Nyatura groups sporadically conducted joint
operations with FDLR and the predominantly ethnic Hunde
group Alliance of Patriots for a Free and Sovereign Congo
(APCLS) against civilians, other armed groups and FARDC. On
February 25, a coalition of FDLR and Nyatura clashed with the
mainly ethnic Kobo and Nande group Patriots for the Defense
of Innocents (UPDI) in Mirangi, Lubero.
On July 1, a coalition of Nyatura and APCLS simultaneously
attacked different FARDC positions in Lukweti, Lwibo and
Kinyumba, Masisi. The fighting left at least six soldiers and up
to eight militants dead. Six days later, Nyatura and FDLR fighters
clashed with NDC-R in Kikuku, Rutshuru, forcing around
50,000 people to leave their homes. On August 23, APCLS
and Nyatura signed a peace accord in Muhanga, Masisi, committing
themselves to handing over their guns and surrendering
to FARDC if they were granted amnesty. Nevertheless,
Nyatura fighters killed an ethnic Hunde village chiefin Mukeberwa,
Masisi, in November, leading to renewed ethnic tensions
in the region. In Rutshuru, FARDC continued operations
against Nyatura in September. On December 21, Nyatura
killed between 13 and 20 people in Bwalanda, Rutshuru, using
guns and machetes.
Nyatura was also active in South Kivu. On January 5, FARDC
units killed six Nyatura fighters in Kalehe. Several attacks on
FARDC by a coalition of RM and Nyatura fighters between May
22 and 25 in the North of Kalehe left two soldiers and two
civilians dead. Over the following days, FARDC regained control
over Mule, Butale, Chaminunu and Chifunzi, all in Kalehe.
On July 7, government troops repulsed an attack on their position
by around 30 Nyatura and Mayi-Mayi Kiricho fighters
in the North of Bukavu in Kalehe, killing three. On September
6, Nyatura killed one villager and looted property during an
attack on Lumbishi village, Kalehe. FARDC intervened and
killed five attackers.
The ethnic Nande militia Mayi-Mayi Mazemba was active in
Walikale, Lubero and Rutshuru, North Kivu. Throughout the
year, around 100 people were killed, 40 injured and more
than 9,600 displaced during Mazemba attacks on villages and
fighting with FARDC. On June 16, a joint attack by Mazemba
and Mayi-Mayi Guidon on MONUSCO troops carrying aid for
refugees in Buleusa, Walikale, left at least seven people dead
and eleven injured. On August 22, FARDC started an offensive
against Mazembe positions in Mutanda and Kikuku, Rutshuru,
killing 13 militants. Between November 6 and 14, alleged
Mazemba fighters killed around 14 people and burned down
161 houses in the South of Lubero, forcing more than 5,900
people to leave the area. On November 27, a group of around
50 Mazembe fighters armed with guns and machetes attacked
more than 1,000 Hutu families in an IDP camp in Luhanga,
Lubero. At least 29 people were killed and 15 others injured.
MONUSCO intervened, killing one attacker.
Mayi-Mayi Manu were solely active in Ituri's Mambasa Territory,
where they attacked villages and fought with rival armed
groups over the control of gold mines. On March 4, Manu
fighters attacked aChinese miner community in Talisalokel.
In June, Manu fighters sided with Mayi-Mayi Simba forces
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