The Hema and Lendu Ethnic Group Conflicts
Congolese massacres, rapes, and brutal violence may lead to crimes against humanity. The violence is perpetrated against an ethnic rival group. There are tensions in the mineral-rich northeastern Ituri province of The Democratic Republic of Congo between the Hema and Lendu ethnic groups. The united nations consequently believe it may lead to genocide.
It’s much harder to explain the burden of proof of genocide. Clearly, the purpose of killing a whole nation is inevitable. The military captured the criminals. Even so, U.N. researchers said the Lendu groups obtained more weapons. The inter-ethnic violence is between the communities of Hema and Lendu, in Djugu and Mahagi. Following this violence, the rebels killed 701 Congolese people and wounded 168. They have subjected 142 people to sexual harassment.
As a result, The United Nations Joint Office of Human Rights (UNJOHR) in the D.R.C. conducted a survey. The Lendu farmers attacked many herding Hema people. Hence, over 700 people died and at least 168 injured in these battles. This violence has lasted from December 2017 till now.
The U.N. Human Rights report finds murders, abuses, and other forms of violence. Thus, it may amount to crimes against humanity. The Hema farmers are mostly the victims in the D.R.C. of Ituri province. The Hema group has pasture rights and political representation. For this reason, the Hema have been at odds with the Lendu farmers for many years.
The U.N. Human Rights Office said Lendu armed groups have carried out systematic and widespread attacks. They aim at “inflicting lasting trauma” on the Hema. The Lendu want to strip them of their ancestral lands. In a briefing, U.N. human rights chairman, Rupert Colville, claimed: “The U.N. pervasive, systematic existence is characteristic of crimes against humanity.”
Violence against women and children in Congo
The brutal nature of the attacks is the beheading and dismemberment of women and children with machetes. In addition, the rebels turn victims’ bodies into war trophies. The attackers’ desire to inflict lasting misery on Hema communities. They do this to compel them to leave and not return to their villages. Studies record they are raping women and killing children-some in school uniforms. They are plundering villages and burning them down too.
On 10 June last year, in Torges district, a Hema man tried to stop armed attackers from raping his wife. Unfortunately, he witnessed the beheading of his 8-year-old son. The reported violence contains crimes against humanity. In this case; assassination, persecution, plundering, torture, rape, and other forms of sexual abuse are the order of the day. They attack and destroy schools and health care facilities as well.
The Rise of Insecurity in D.R.C.
The study shows that significant attacks consecutively occurred in the harvest and planting seasons of June and December respectively. Therefore, it has made it harder for Hema to expand, or cultivate fields. Similarly, they cannot exacerbate their food shortages. There may be some factors that constitute genocide. A globally unprecedented classification, indeed.
Since September 2018, the armed groups from Lendu perpetrate attacks on the Hema and against leaders of other ethnic groups like the Alur. They aim to take control of the Hema community land and its associated wealth.
In the last two years, violence has escalated. Around 57,000 have fled to Uganda. According to the UNHCR, over 556,000 have fled Djugu and Mahagi regions in Ituri. Lendu’s insurgent groups have stormed, burned, and destroyed several camps and villages that the Hema took refuge.
Many victims are from the Hema Community. However, The UN researchers have equally documented Hema acts of repressive behavior. They even burn villages and are also involved in isolated attacks against the Lendu people.
Finding Refuge in Uganda
“The Congolese arrival in Uganda is shocking the country’s economy. Uganda already has a population of 1.3 million refugees. Many of these refugees have been fleeing the civil war in South Sudan. About 60,000 Congolese have fled to Uganda to avoid deadly ethnicities. Gerald Menya, Uganda’s refugee commissioner, said two to three Congolese arrive every hour. In the past year, he said more than 60,000 had sought shelter in Uganda.
The war has displaced more than half a million Congolese. In September, the U.N. refugee agency reported a funding shortage. They only meet 35% of the requirements.
The UN Recommendations
Since February 2018, the FARDC Army and the deployed police forces have not stopped brutality. Surprisingly, the police and the army have also committed abuse. They are also involved in executions outside justice, sexual assault, arbitrary arrests, and detentions. The Congolese high court has tried and convicted two police officers and two soldiers at the Congolese tribunals.
UNJHRO recommends the D.R.C. authorities to tackle the root causes of violence and inaccessibility to resources. They should also solve the disputed property adequately. Congolese authorities must mobilize more security forces and review violations. They should also maintain a constant effort for reconciliation and peaceful coexistence between the two groups.
The report advises the government to launch an unbiased, independent investigation into years of violence. The Congolese government should ensure the right to reparation, access to medical, and social services for the victims.
