Campaign News

90,000 Displaced in DR Congo

We have just received an update from Henri regarding the situation in Beni. There has been fierce fighting between the Ugandan rebel group ADF Nalu and the Congolese army since June 30th. The government army aimed to root out all ‘negative elements’ in the east of the country, but reports indicate members of ADF nalu had been living peacefully amongst villagers since 2004. The UN estimates that 90,000 villagers have been forced to flee their homes. Oxfam say that the Congolese army is so poorly disciplined that is is likely that rape and other attrocities are being used as weapons of war. Henri reports that the ADF Nalu attacked the government army last week in Eringeti – around 55 miles from Beni town. Villagers were again forced to flee, and have now congregated in Oicha town, 30 miles from Beni. The numbers of people coming into Oicha are growing daily, and figures are estimated as high as 14,300 families.

Henri’s organisation CRC has been working with the displaced families in Oicha. It is vital at this point that those who have been forced to flee their homes do not join an opposing rebel group, and that violent retribution is avoided at all costs. CRC is working with both the host community and those seeking shelter to try and restore hope and encourage cohesion between the groups. Following negotiations with CRC the Food Agriculture Organisation has committed it’s support to assist the displaced families. It is now that the work Henri has been doing over the past ten years, to encourage neighbouring communities to leave peacefully together and to provide shelter to those who need it, will be most crucial. The situation is extremly volatile, yet Henri and the task forces of former militia members and local leaders that he has set up across eastern Congo will help to negotiate safe passage for those who need it, and to encourage calm within Oicha. Please support Henri today, and help to restore hope in this volatile region.

Girl Soldiers in Dr Congo

Armed militias in the D.R.Congo have recruited young girls as child soldiers since the beginning of the civil war. Some girls join as a way out of poverty and hunger. Others are forcibly coerced, often by sexual violence. Once recruited, girls are used to cook for the male rebels, perform magic rituals for them and are raped by men following military victories as part of the celebration. Although around 40% of all child soldiers in the D.R. Congo are girls, they make up only 20% of the children that have been released since 2004. Some girls feel that they have no option other than to stay with an armed group, fearing punishment or death if caught trying to escape. Masika’s Story “I was 12 years old when I was recruited by force in the armed group. It was a group of about 18 girls selected in our village after the attack by the Mai Mai. They said that we would be in good condition, we would be the commanders of others and take care of everything related to the military equipment. During 3 years in the militia, I was made to sleep with different boys and was having sexual relations with 5 or even 8 boys the same night. Because of this, today I have a big problem with my sexual health. I was made to cook food for about 100 men, and to carry food to soldiers on the frontline of military attacks. Other times I was used as a spy – Our commander would send me as a sex gift to the enemy commander so I could spy on their plans. All of us children were made to drink alcohol, smoke marijuana and use black magic. These things happened because in our village children could not go to school. The one activity remaining to us was to integrate into the armed group. It was not easy to me to talk about my testimonies, because I went through many bad things. But because of this initiative and this project I need to help children to understand the danger of integration into the army for girls.” “We plan to help Masika, and support her small restaurant near Beni Town. Masika is an amazing and wonderful girl who lost all hope. She is now proud and able to talk loudly against those who wish to recruit children to armed groups” Henri Ladyi Help Masika and girls like her, please make a gift today and give local peacebuilders the one thing they urgently need – your support.