Nduma Defense of Congo

The Nduma Defense of Congo (French: Nduma défense du Congo or NDC, also known as Mai-Mai Sheka) is a militia that operates in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo as part of the Kivu conflict.[1][2] Mai-Mai groups are militia unique to the eastern DRC, formed ostensibly to defend villages from attacks from Rwandan forces and Rwandan-backed rebel groups. However, Mai-Mai groups have been accused of sexual violence, looting, and fighting all sides including fellow militias, the DRC Army, and the United Nations.[3]

Nduma Defense of Congo
Nduma défense du Congo
Also known asMai-Mai Sheka
LeaderNtabo Ntaberi Sheka (2009-2017)
Mandaima (2017-present)
Foundation2009
CountryDemocratic Republic of the Congo
HeadquartersPinga (November 2012 – November 2013)
Buniyampuli (until July 2014)
Active regionsNorth Kivu
Major actionsMass rape, murder, sexual slavery, recruitment of child soldiers
Opponents FARDC
United Nations MONUSCO
Nduma Defense of Congo-Renovated
Battles and warsKivu conflict

The NDC was formed in 2009 by former minerals trader Ntabo Ntaberi Sheka, an ethnic Nyanga.[1] Sheka claims the group was formed to liberate the mines of Walikale Territory in North Kivu.[1]

According to the United Nations, Sheka commanded a mass rape of at least 387 women, men, and children over a three-day span in Walikale in 2010.[1][4] This was said to be a punishment for the villagers collaborating with Congo government forces.[4] In 2011, Sheka was added to a United Nations Security Council sanctions list and a warrant was issued for his arrest in the DRC.[2]

On 12 November 2012 Pinga was captured by NDC and remained under its control as of March 2013.[5] In November 2013 NDC withdrew from Pinga and kidnapped dozens of women as sex slaves.[6] In July 2014 armed forces launched offensive against NDC recapturing Kashebere-Walikale road including its stronghold of Buniyampuli.[7]

In 2017, Sheka surrendered to the DRC in North Kivu.[4] On 24 November 2020, a military court has sentenced Sheka to life for war crimes including murder, sexual slavery and child soldier recruitment.[8]

The UN Security Council has documented numerous cases of the NDC recruiting child soldiers. According to a 2014 report, at least 33 children separated from the group.[9] They said their roles included carrying ammunition and acting as talisman, as well as "combatants, cooks, marijuana farmers and tax collectors."[9] The children were held to the group through a mixture of threats to their family or the payment of $10–12 per month.[9]

A 2014 splinter saw the new group NCD-Renouveau created by former NDC deputy Guidon (or Guido).[9][10]

See also

References
  1. "DR Congo: Wanted Rebel's Troops Instill Fear". Human Rights Watch. 6 January 2015. Retrieved 6 April 2019.
  2. "War crimes fugitive surrenders to UN peacekeepers in DR Congo; UN advocate urges justice for victims". UN News. 27 July 2017. Retrieved 6 April 2019.
  3. Gettleman, Jeffrey (20 November 2008). "Mai Mai Fighters Third Piece in Congo's Violent Puzzle". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 6 April 2019.
  4. "Ntabo Ntaberi Sheka: Rebel leader surrenders to UN". www.aljazeera.com. Retrieved 6 April 2019.
  5. THE POPULATION OF PINGA, NORD KIVU, WELCOMES THE WORK OF MONUSCO, 4 March 2013
  6. DR Congo: Wanted Rebel’s Troops Instill Fear, 6 January 2015
  7. Report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, 25 September 2014
  8. "Congo warlord sentenced to life for war crimes". Reuters. 23 November 2020.
  9. "Final report of the Group of Experts on the Democratic Republic of the Congo" (PDF). United Nations Security Council. 2014.
  10. "RDC: le NDC-Rénové du chef Guidon, pointé du doigt dans l'attaque de Buleusa - RFI". RFI Afrique (in French). 18 June 2016. Retrieved 8 April 2019.
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