Anti-Monusco protests: Trial of suspects starts in military court

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The trial of suspects accused of protesting against the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) in Goma City kicked off on Friday at the Garrison Military Court.

The protests that took place in areas of Kyeshero, Ndosho, Himbi, Katoyi, Kasika, among others in the Nyabushongo district were carried out by residents under their umbrella Wazalendo commanded by Pastor Efraim Bisimwa leader of a Christian-animist group named the “Natural Judaic and Messianic Faith Towards the Nations”

43 people including a police officer died while 56 were injured and 168 arrested.

The protestors barricaded roads using stones and stormed MONUSCO bases in the area accusing the peacekeepers of failure to end insecurity in Eastern DRC. They also accused the peacekeepers of failure to launch an assault against the March 23 Movement (M23) rebels.

143 suspects including Bisimwa were paraded before the Garrison Military Court at Unity Stadium in Goma and charged with two counts of criminal conspiracy and participation in an insurrectional movement.

Court also heard that all the suspects subscribe to the religious sect, “Natural Judaic and Messianic Faith Towards the Nations”.

Court will resume on Saturday and next week for further hearing.

Meanwhile, the United Nations Human Rights Office through its spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani has demanded an independent probe into the deadly crackdown on anti-MONUSCO protestors.

In a statement released on Saturday, Shamdasani says that there needs to be an investigation and the perpetrators need to be brought to justice.

The March 23 Movement, also released a statement condemning the killing of protestors. In a statement, the M23 political spokesperson, Lawrence Kanyuka called for an independent inquiry by the international community into the killings and other killings that have been happening in Eastern DRC.

M23 argues that it was not the role of the army, specifically the department of the Republican Guard to intervene in quelling the protests but instead was the police’s responsibility.

The death toll stands at 97 dead, including women and children. The victims were attacked early in the morning by the DRC Government Forces, some at their place of worship, others in their residences and workplaces.

URN had learnt that relatives of the dead have been refused access to collect the bodies, which were being buried at night in mass graves located in the KATINDO military camp.

Félix Antoine Tshisekedi, the DRC President through Government spokesperson, Patrick Muyaya Katembwe on Saturday morning released a statement condemning the action of the military. He said that a delegation of top government officials has been dispatched to Goma to determine the circumstances and promises severe sanctions against the perpetuators.

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URN