Some 369 victims of Mai Mai Simba in Mambasa, Ituri district, interviewed by UN investigators

30 Apr 2013

Some 369 victims of Mai Mai Simba in Mambasa, Ituri district, interviewed by UN investigators

Bunia, 26 April 2013 – From 24 to 29 March 2013, the United Nations Joint Human Rights Office(UNJHRO), in collaboration with the Military Prosecutor's Office, conducted an investigation mission to the territory of Mambasa, about 219 km south of Bunia, the capital of the ituri district.

The aim of the UNJHR investigation mission was not only to look into reports of serious human rights violations and abuses of children by members of the militia group Mai-Mai Simba led by Paul Sadalla, better known as Morgan, but also to highlight the scale of sexual violence committed by armed groups in the region.

The investigation team visited three main roads axes, namely the Mambasa-Biakato axis which runs 75 km south of Mambasa through the localities of Some, Mayouwanou, Teturi and Luemba; the Mambasa-Maboukou-Bandisende-Epulu- Bandingaido-Niania axis, located about 350 km west of Bunia; and the Mambasa center axis. The investigators were able to interview about 369 victims of rape, looting, torture and other serious violations of human rights.

Thanks to this mission, some rape victims with gynecological and other health problems were taken to the hospital of Nianga for treatment, and two other victims needing special care were transferred to Bunia.

Amadou Maiga/MONUSCO