DRC’s leading human rights organisation, l’Association africaine de defense des droits de l’homme (ASADHO) has expressed concern over the mass recruitment of young people in Katanga province by the provincial and military authorities. In a statement, received by IRIN today (Tuesday), ASADHO said weapons were being distributed to people of Katangese origin by Popular Civil Defence units (DCP). According to witness accounts, these paramilitary groups were “terrorising” other citizens of the province. ASADHO recalled that between 1991 and 1993, Katanga - then Shaba - was subjected to the ethnic cleansing of the Kasai people by the-then governor Kyingu wa Kumwanza, currently the DRC ambassador to Kenya. Over 3,000 people were killed and 500,000 displaced at that time. The organisation urged the international community to take note of the dangers posed by the current arming of the civilian Katangese population.
This article was produced by IRIN News while it was part of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Please send queries on copyright or liability to the UN. For more information: https://shop.un.org/rights-permissions
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