By Polly Johnson
Impunity Watch Reporter, Africa
NORTH KIVU, Democratic Republic of Congo – A Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) rebel commander suspected of leading the attacks in July and August that resulted in hundreds of rapes has been arrested, according to UN peacekeepers and the army in DRC.
Lieutenant Colonel Mayele of the Mai Mai Cheka rebel group was captured in a joint operation in the North Kivu province and turned over on Tuesday to UN peacekeepers and the Congolese army in Walikale, eastern Congo. He is in detention in Goma, and a case has been opened up.
A spokesman for DRC’s Mai Mai militias, said, “We gave Mayele to the UN so that he can be investigated by the international criminal court for his actions against the local population.”
The arrest came during a visit to DRC by UN Special Representative on Sexual Violence Margot Wallström, who has called DRC the rape capital of the world.
Between three and five hundred people are thought to have been raped during the wave of attacks that took place between July 30 and August 2 by two hundred members of three armed groups. The known victims include two hundred and thirty-five women, fifty-two girls, thirteen men, and three boys. At least nine hundred and twenty-three houses and forty-two shops were looted.
“It is a victory for justice, especially for the many women who have suffered rapes and other forms of sexual violence. The numerous criminal acts committed under ‘Lt. Col.’ Mayele’s command cannot be undone,” Wallström said. “Let his apprehension be a signal to all perpetrators of sexual violence that impunity for these types of crimes is not accepted and that justice will prevail.”
Victims of the attack said in interviews that they believed the purpose of the attacks was to intimidate local people seen by the rebels as government supporters. A doctor, Cris Baguma, visited rape victims in their villages, learning that the rebels had come in peace and only began the rapes after being given food by the villagers.
“Men saw how they raped their wives, sons saw how they raped their mothers. Everyone in these villages is now very withdrawn and cold and in need of psychological assistance,” Baguma said.
“It is crucial that the victims of the rapes in Walikale and in so many other places in the DRC see justice done,” said Wallström. “I call on the Government to ensure a swift, rigorous and open process of justice.”
For more information, please see:
Al Jazeera – Arrest in DR Congo over mass rape – 6 October 2010
BBC – DR Congo rebel leader arrested over mass rapes – 6 October 2010
Guardian – Militia commander Mayele arrested after mass rape of Congo villagers – 6 October 2010
UN News Centre – DR Congo: UN helps seize rebel leader presumed responsible for mass rape – 5 October 2010
