The Nduma Defense of Congo (French: Nduma défense du Congo or NDC, also known as Mai-Mai Sheka) is a militia that operates in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo as part of the Kivu conflict.[1][2] Mai-Mai groups are militia unique to the eastern DRC, formed ostensibly to defend villages from attacks from Rwandan forces and Rwandan-backed rebel groups. However, Mai-Mai groups have been accused of sexual violence, looting, and fighting all sides including fellow militias, the DRC Army, and the United Nations.[3]
| Nduma Defense of Congo | |
|---|---|
| Nduma défense du Congo | |
| Also known as | Mai-Mai Sheka |
| Leader | Ntabo Ntaberi Sheka (2009-2017) Mandaima (2017-present) |
| Foundation | 2009 |
| Country | Democratic Republic of the Congo |
| Headquarters | Pinga (November 2012 – November 2013) Buniyampuli (until July 2014) |
| Active regions | North Kivu |
| Major actions | Mass rape, murder, sexual slavery, recruitment of child soldiers |
| Opponents |  FARDC MONUSCO Nduma Defense of Congo-Renovated |
| Battles and wars | Kivu conflict |
The NDC was formed in 2009 by former minerals trader Ntabo Ntaberi Sheka, an ethnic Nyanga.[1] Sheka claims the group was formed to liberate the mines of Walikale Territory in North Kivu.[1]
According to the United Nations, Sheka commanded a mass rape of at least 387 women, men, and children over a three-day span in Walikale in 2010.[1][4] This was said to be a punishment for the villagers collaborating with Congo government forces.[4] In 2011, Sheka was added to a United Nations Security Council sanctions list and a warrant was issued for his arrest in the DRC.[2]
On 12 November 2012 Pinga was captured by NDC and remained under its control as of March 2013.[5] In November 2013 NDC withdrew from Pinga and kidnapped dozens of women as sex slaves.[6] In July 2014 armed forces launched offensive against NDC recapturing Kashebere-Walikale road including its stronghold of Buniyampuli.[7]
In 2017, Sheka surrendered to the DRC in North Kivu.[4] On 24 November 2020, a military court has sentenced Sheka to life for war crimes including murder, sexual slavery and child soldier recruitment.[8]
The UN Security Council has documented numerous cases of the NDC recruiting child soldiers. According to a 2014 report, at least 33 children separated from the group.[9] They said their roles included carrying ammunition and acting as talisman, as well as "combatants, cooks, marijuana farmers and tax collectors."[9] The children were held to the group through a mixture of threats to their family or the payment of $10–12 per month.[9]
A 2014 splinter saw the new group NCD-Renouveau created by former NDC deputy Guidon (or Guido).[9][10]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c d "DR Congo: Wanted Rebel's Troops Instill Fear". Human Rights Watch. 6 January 2015. Retrieved 6 April 2019.
- ^ a b "War crimes fugitive surrenders to UN peacekeepers in DR Congo; UN advocate urges justice for victims". UN News. 27 July 2017. Retrieved 6 April 2019.
- ^ Gettleman, Jeffrey (20 November 2008). "Mai Mai Fighters Third Piece in Congo's Violent Puzzle". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 6 April 2019.
- ^ a b c "Ntabo Ntaberi Sheka: Rebel leader surrenders to UN". www.aljazeera.com. Retrieved 6 April 2019.
- ^ THE POPULATION OF PINGA, NORD KIVU, WELCOMES THE WORK OF MONUSCO, 4 March 2013
- ^ DR Congo: Wanted Rebel’s Troops Instill Fear, 6 January 2015
- ^ Report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, 25 September 2014
- ^ "Congo warlord sentenced to life for war crimes". Reuters. 23 November 2020.
- ^ a b c d "Final report of the Group of Experts on the Democratic Republic of the Congo" (PDF). United Nations Security Council. 2014.
- ^ "RDC: le NDC-Rénové du chef Guidon, pointé du doigt dans l'attaque de Buleusa - RFI". RFI Afrique (in French). 18 June 2016. Retrieved 8 April 2019.