On January 7, 2016, the FDLR in collaboration with RUD Urunana attacked the Miriki Locality of Lubero Territory in North Kivu province and killing 17 people.
The main aims of the attack were to kill the Kobo tribe people and Bandandi as a warning to Mai Mai Cheka and Chandayira militiamen whom they were terribly attacked them continuously.
Locals source of Miriki told Rwandatribune that they were shocked to find that the FARDC was still working hand in hand with FDLR fighters, while the issue of their killings was not taken Seriously .
Miriki Massacre by history facts
Miriki residents who spoke to Rwandatribune say, they have vivid memories of the atrocities committed against their comrades, and believe that they have up to five evidence that the Kinshasa government deliberately ignored these signs and entered into an agreement with the FDLR.
1.The perpetrators of this massacre are known
According to an article published on Congovirtuel.com, the names of the FDLR and RUD Urunana militants who were attacked them are known.
Some of the names of the perpetrators were Jean Marie Gashadazi, Subjongore, Ndemeya, Savimbi and Joni.
The FDLR and RUD Urunana militants were joined by other Hutu-Nande civilians, including Kalevya, Luhanga and Kyuto.
2.The FARDC refused to use phone numbers they had given to carry out investigation on the killers
The villagers allegedly gave FARDC the phone numbers of Airtel and Vodacom companies that the fighters were using. The phones are said to contain evidence that the fighters were texting in Kinyarwanda.
3.The FDLR has denied the allegations, saying it would be held accountable to RUD Urunana
As soon as the killings took place, on January 8, 2016, the FDLR issued a statement denying involvement in the killings, and even denounced the FARDC as possible by RUD Urunana fighters.
Survivors alleged that the way their people killed was similar to that of the Interahamwe in Tutsi Genocide of 1994 in Rwanda That why they initially claimed to have been carried out by the FDLR.
4.Good Relationship between RUD Urunana Commander, Gen Musare and Nande officers of FARDC
As soon as the Miriki massacre took place, RUD Urunana led by Gen Musare had good relations with the FARDC officers, especially those of the Nande tribe who had supported them at various times.
5.MONUSCO also knew that the FDLR and RUD Urunana would commit the massacre
As soon as MONUSCO received the news that the people of Miriki were preparing for the massacre, they immediately evacuated their troops from the area. They are soldiers from South Africa, Nepal, India, Tanzania and Malawi.
What does Civil Society in this area requires?
Augustin Kambale, the director of the Civil Society in Miriki locality, said that until now, they were saddened that their relatives who were killed by the FDLR long time ago din not get justice.
Kambale called for at least the Congolese government to join them on Januray 7th every year in commemoration of their relatives who were killed by FDLR.
