Bana Mura is an armed militant group active in the Kasaï region of the Democratic Republic of Congo.[1] It mostly recruits ethnic Chokwe, Pende, and Tetela, and is supported by the Congolese government.[2] According to the United Nations, the group destroyed approximately 20 villages over the span of two months in 2017.[1][3]

History

Zeid Raad Hussein of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights has stated that the group was created and armed by the Democratic Republic of Congo in order to counter the Kamwina Nsapu rebellion.[1]

The group has been accused of committing numerous atrocities, including massacring civilians.[3][1] The group has reportedly committed attacked civilians belonging to the Luba and Lulua ethnic groups.[4] Bana Mura members have also enslaved civilians, forcing them to work on their farms.[2]

References

  1. ^ a b c d Dixon, Robyn (June 26, 2017). "They're killing babies and torching villages: Who is behind the Democratic Republic of Congo's ugly new war?". Los Angeles Times.
  2. ^ a b Marie-France Cros (10 July 2019). "RDC: Kasaï: les experts de l'Onu s'inquiètent de l' " impunité " et de la milice Bana Mura". La Libre Africa (in French). Retrieved 14 March 2020.
  3. ^ a b Cumming-Bruce, Nick (June 20, 2017). "Congolese Militia Is Accused of Atrocities". The New York Times.
  4. ^ Aglionby, John (June 20, 2017). "Congo security forces and local militias accused of killing 3,400". Financial Times. Mr Hussein said the authorities created and armed the Bana Mura militia to fight the Kamwina Nsapu, but that the group has carried out "horrific attacks against civilians from the Luba and Lulua ethnic groups".
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