Mai-Mai Kata Katanga
Mai Mai Kata Katanga, also called Mai Mai Bakata Katanga,[1] is a rebel group in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, that claims to fight for the independence of Katanga Province.[2] "Kata Katanga" means "secede Katanga" in Swahili.[2] It is lead by Gédéon Kyungu Mutanga, who founded it when he escaped from prison in September 2011.[2] On March 23rd, 2013, more than 200 Kata Katanga rebels entered Lubumbashi, the capital of the province of Katanga.[3] At least 35 people died before they surrendered to the UN.[3] As a result of the conflict, nearly 400,000 people from Katanga live in camps for displaced persons.[2] Additionally, the United Nations refugee agency estimates that more than 1700 displaced women were raped before fleeing.[2] In August 2013, the UN mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, MONUSCO, rescued 82 children, some as young as eight, who had been forcibly recruited to the militia.[4] MONUSCO states a total of 163, including 22 girls, have been freed since the beginning of the year.[4] The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said in a March 8 report that the humanitarian effects have spread to half of Katanga’s 22 territories.[3] The group is allegedly being financed by a Katangan living abroad.[2]
See also
References
- ^ "82 child soldiers rescued in southeastern Congo, UN says". presstv.com. Retrieved 21 September 2013.
- ^ a b c d e f "Katanga: Fighting for DR Congo's cash cow to secede". bbcnews.com. 11 August 2013. Retrieved 12 September 2013.
- ^ a b c "Congo Rebel Attack in Katanga Province Leaves 35 Dead, UN Says". bloomberg.com. 24 March 2013. Retrieved 15 September 2013.
- ^ a b "DR Congo unrest: Children freed from militia, says UN". bbcnews.com. 16 August 2013. Retrieved 21 September 2013.