UN
United Nations Peacekeeping
3 Mar
2009
MONUC's investigations in Buramba on 30-31 December 2004
On 30 and 31 December 2004, a MONUC multidisciplinary team conducted investigations into Human rights abuses perpetrated on 17-22 December 2004 in Buramba, a locality situated in the Rutshuru district.
The findings suggest at least 30 civilians, including women and children, were reportedly killed by the FARDC mutinous troops of the 123rd battalion belonging to the 12th Brigade of the ex-ANC component, in reprisals for the killing of three of its elements by the Mayi Mayi ex-component?s troops under the Jackson?s group. The ex-ANC military elements were killed while trying to steal bags of rice in the Buramba locality.
The exact number of the civilians killed in the reprisal could be higher since the ex-ANC troops reportedly burned bodies and killed other civilians in the hills overlooking Buramba.
On 17 December, between 15 and 16 hours, immediately after the assassination of three of their troops, the Nyalima-based ex-ANC troops attacked Buramba to avenge the civilians suspected of supporting the Mayi-Mayi troops. They reportedly blocked the exits points of the town and summarily and systematically executed those civilians who were unable to flee. MONUC team was informed that during the operations, the Mayi Mayi troops had left Buramba and, as a result, the two groups did not clash. The killing was followed by massive and systematic looting of houses and social infrastructures in the town.
MONUC team also received allegations on the rape of a 12 year-old girl, which it was unable to confirm.
When visiting Buramba, the team noticed that the locality, whose population was estimated at 10,000 people before the attack, was completely deserted and houses were completely empty.
Moreover, the team noticed that there was no sign of the presence of the ex-ANC troops and the few civilians it met were along the main road linking Kiwandja and Ugandan border.
Following the slaughter, thousands civilians living in Buramba, fled to Kishoro, Nyamilima, Munyaga and Kiwandja. The few displaced persons trying to return home turned back as they came across the ex- ANC military patrols and heard gunshots.
MONUC investigative mission was conducted amidst insecurity and intimidation from the ex-ANC troops which tried to conceal the facts and continued to pester the civilian population.
The civilian and military authorities met during the investigation denied that civilians had been executed by the ex-ANC, and attribute their deaths to being caught in cross-fires during clashes.
MONUC already voiced its serious concern to the civilian and military authorities and warned against new reprisals against civilians, looking forward to their collaboration in this end. The military court as far as concerned visited the scene of the incidents to initiate investigations into the Buramba event.
MONUC continues following closely the situation in Rutshuru in general, and Buramba in particular.
The exact number of the civilians killed in the reprisal could be higher since the ex-ANC troops reportedly burned bodies and killed other civilians in the hills overlooking Buramba.
On 17 December, between 15 and 16 hours, immediately after the assassination of three of their troops, the Nyalima-based ex-ANC troops attacked Buramba to avenge the civilians suspected of supporting the Mayi-Mayi troops. They reportedly blocked the exits points of the town and summarily and systematically executed those civilians who were unable to flee. MONUC team was informed that during the operations, the Mayi Mayi troops had left Buramba and, as a result, the two groups did not clash. The killing was followed by massive and systematic looting of houses and social infrastructures in the town.
MONUC team also received allegations on the rape of a 12 year-old girl, which it was unable to confirm.
When visiting Buramba, the team noticed that the locality, whose population was estimated at 10,000 people before the attack, was completely deserted and houses were completely empty.
Moreover, the team noticed that there was no sign of the presence of the ex-ANC troops and the few civilians it met were along the main road linking Kiwandja and Ugandan border.
Following the slaughter, thousands civilians living in Buramba, fled to Kishoro, Nyamilima, Munyaga and Kiwandja. The few displaced persons trying to return home turned back as they came across the ex- ANC military patrols and heard gunshots.
MONUC investigative mission was conducted amidst insecurity and intimidation from the ex-ANC troops which tried to conceal the facts and continued to pester the civilian population.
The civilian and military authorities met during the investigation denied that civilians had been executed by the ex-ANC, and attribute their deaths to being caught in cross-fires during clashes.
MONUC already voiced its serious concern to the civilian and military authorities and warned against new reprisals against civilians, looking forward to their collaboration in this end. The military court as far as concerned visited the scene of the incidents to initiate investigations into the Buramba event.
MONUC continues following closely the situation in Rutshuru in general, and Buramba in particular.
