Africanews
While the general scenario in the Great Lakes region does not improve, the situation of the Banyamulenge in Eastern Zaire is deteriorating dramatically. AFRICANEWS has reported on them in the previous issue. |
Five Banyamulenge people were killed from 6th to 8th September by Zairean soldiers. Bolingo Karema was beaten and stoned to death in Uvira, while the other four were killed in the villages. According to other reports a total of 35 Banyamulenge may have been killed in Uvira town, Mutarure, Sange and Luberizi villages.
An unspecified number of people were arrested in Uvira and others are held in Luberizi military camp. Among those held are Catholic priests and nuns from the Diocese of Uvira, and many Protestant pastors. Pastor Jonathan who was attacked with bayonets last month is one among 50 reportedly missing. The situation of those in jail is not known. Their family members would not dare to visit them because they are also "wanted." Panic, fear and grief overwhelm the Banyamulenge who last experienced persecution in the '60s.
At the beginning of September, the office of a local NGO, Groupe Milima (which was closed by the local authorities in July), was completely looted by security men. Its director, Mr Muller Ruhimbika, went hiding after an arrest warrant was issued against him. During the fracas, the office of the Catholic organisation CARITAS was also looted by soldiers.
In spite of all this the process of the first multi-party elections is under way. The 116 delegates of the National Electoral Commission started work on 30th August, 1996. They are from different political parties and they should to facilitate the voters' exercise.
But the National Electoral Commission has already been hit by a crisis when its deputy chairman resigned. According to AFP, Mr Nzongola Ntalaga resigned on 3rd September in protest of what he called a climate of "uncertainty and tension." He accused the government of a "lack of sincerity." Politically, he sees the work of the National Electoral Commission's task as "very difficult, if not impossible."
In the North and South Kivu provinces the work of the National Electoral Commission has to face the problem of nationality, because a number of powerful Zairean politicians want to withdraw the Zairean nationality from all Banyamulenge on the pretext that they are of Rwandan origin. This issue does not exist in other border provinces. For instance Shaba boarders Zambia, Equateur boarders Central Africa Republic, Haut-Zaire boarders Sudan and Uganda, Bas-Zaire boarders Congo Brazzaville but nobody has ever argued that members of tribes found in both countries should move to the other side of the border.
Meetings between Zairean, Rwandese and UNHCR authorities have been going on since 1995. These are to study the feasibility of returning refugees home to Rwanda. The Kengo government had one time given the 31st December 1995 as a deadline, for all refugees to go home. Few days later, President Mobutu revoked the decision. But again, during his visit to Rwanda, last August, Mr Kengo said that his government will ensure that all Rwandan refugees will have gone home, before the General Elections next May, 1997. But refugees seem to be reluctant to heed that decision.
The problem of nationality has become a serious talk in the Zairean Transitional Parliament. Victims are the Zairean with ethnic links in Rwanda. On 26 July, two Members of Parliament were barred to enter the house, on the pretence that they are of Rwandan origin. Their final dismissal came on 7th September. Interestingly, the Zairean constitution provides no section which specifies tribal origins which have right more than others to the Zairean nationality.
As much as the majority of Zaireans want peace and democracy, there is little political will by the present regime to bring about a solid and genuine democracy. For some politicians, the negation of Banyamulenge's nationality may be seen as a reward to other local communities, whom the politicians look for a vote. Making Banyamulenge stateless before the General Election next year would also be a success for the politicians who thrive on chaos and misery for the majority.
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AFRICANEWS on line is by Enrico Marcandalli