Six soldiers in the Democratic Republic of Congo have been charged with crimes against humanity for their involvement in the killing of 56 people during an army crackdown on anti-U.N. demonstrations in the eastern part of the country. The accused include a colonel and a lieutenant-colonel from the republican guard, and they are being charged with murder, malicious destruction, and inciting soldiers to commit acts contrary to duty or discipline, according to a statement by the military court in Goma.
During the trial, the charges were read out, but the accused were not yet asked to enter their plea. According to an anonymous source close to the presidency, the two officers were in command of the soldiers who opened fire on protesters. The military prosecutor, Michel Kashil, stated in court that their actions were not sanctioned by the state and were instead an isolated incident.
Kashil further mentioned that the attacks targeted members of a specific church and constituted a systematic assault on particular populations. The protests were organized by a mystical Christian sect called Wazalendo. The government had initially reported 43 deaths in the unrest in Goma, but according to the prosecutor, the death toll now stands at 56, with 75 others injured.
Since last year, the U.N. peacekeeping mission in eastern Congo, known as MONUSCO, has faced protests due to allegations of failing to protect civilians from militia violence that has persisted for decades. In a previous anti-MONUSCO protest in July 2022, more than 15 deaths occurred, including three peacekeepers in Goma and Butembo.
Human Rights Watch’s senior Congo researcher, Thomas Fessy, commended the government’s response as a step in the right direction. However, Fessy emphasized the need for a thorough and impartial investigation that includes higher-ranking officials responsible for the operation. Fessy also called for the release of arbitrarily arrested civilians.
Additional reporting by Ange Kasongo Adihe, Sonia Rolley, Stanis Bujakera, and Erikas Mwisi Kambale. Writing by Nellie Peyton. Editing by Hereward Holland and Alexandra Hudson.
Credit: The Star : News Feed
