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FROM THE FIELD

D.R. CONGO: 'We need you so we can be free'
20 May 2009 12:38:00 GMT
 Source: MAG (Mines Advisory Group)
Website: Website: http://www.maginternational.org

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The parents of Pierre Mbangi Mutaku, who died aged 14 after a grenade exploded nine years after the end of the conflict in Kenge.
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The parents of Pierre Mbangi Mutaku, who died aged 14 after a grenade exploded nine years after the end of the conflict in Kenge.
MAG / Gwenn Dubourthoumieu

Background

•  Congo (DR) conflict

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On 5 May 1997, the city of Kenge was the stage of the last battle before the fall of the Mobutu regime, between the regular army of Zaire (Forces Armees Zairoises / FAZ) and the AFDL (Alliance des Forces Democratiques pour la Liberation du Congo-Zaire) of Laurent Desire Kabila, who overthrew the longtime President.

This day will remain marked due to the massacre of the civilians perpetrated by the special forces of Mobutu (Division Speciale Presidentielle / DSP) before they fled the rebel forces.

These killings cost the lives of more than 300 innocent people. At the same time, in their disarray, the presidential forces left behind numerous explosive devices and set fire to a large stock of weapons and ammunition.

Since 5 May 1997, Kenge often puts to rest victims of the unexploded ordnance which remains spread across the town.

The parents of Pierre Mbangi Mutaku, victim of a grenade nine years after the end of the conflict, tell their story:

"It was a Sunday, the children went to the spring close to our house looking for water when one of them found a hand grenade.

"This grenade was making a kind of noise, like a little click. One of the children moved away but my son stayed very close with the neighbour's child. My son wanted to run away, but the other boy told him: "Why do you want to run away? Don't be a woman!".

"They didn't know the danger, they took this as a game. It was simple curiosity. The grenade was laying on the floor when it exploded, killing instantly both my son and the young neighbour. Since this day, people live with fear every time they go to that spring. The spring is situated close to the Ngemba military camp and often when we burn the bushes, there are explosions.

"I realise today that it was lucky that my son had this accident away from people's houses, because I found five grenades in my plot.

"During the fighting, my house was used as a military camp. Soldiers left weapons; it was a danger. I even have bullet holes in the walls of my house.

"When I reported these grenades to the authorities, soldiers came to pick them up. We didn't think that after getting rid of these grenades other dangers were surrounding us. We had eight children, now seven. I am a driver for UNOPS. My son's name was Pierre. He was 14, in high school and wanted to study.

"What MAG is doing is important for the security of everyone. We need you so we can be free.

"I have lost a child, and for me, this is irreplaceable."

After two weeks of work in Kenge, MAG discovered 331 explosive devices.

These included 299 mortars, 16 hand grenades, five anti-tank mines, 10 fuses and one air-to-ground missile. All these items of unexploded ordnance were then carefully stocked for future safe demolition.

MAG visited Kenge following a request from Longin Kafinga Mbumba, Chief of the city since February 1998.

"On 5th May 1997, massacres took place close to the Kibanguist church; since then communal graves have been discovered. Fighting was very violent and then, after the war, people collected explosive devices. But, since this day the city of Kenge buries regularly victims of grenades and ammunition found underground or abandoned by the soldiers.

"The city of Kenge is a farming area. Its people, living exclusively on agriculture, are particularly exposed to the danger since they must go to the bush and in the forest to cultivate.

"Danger is prevalent.

"For humanitarian reasons, in order to prevent further loss of human lives, I asked MAG to come to Kenge. My request has not been futile: I am very happy that MAG already picked up more than 300 items of unexploded ordnance."

For more information on MAG's work in DRC please visit www.maginternational.org/drc

MAG's work in DRC is supported by: Belgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs; DFID (UK Department for International Development); Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Guernsey Overseas Aid Commission; Office of Weapons Removal and Abatement, U.S. Department of State; Sida (Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency).


[ Any views expressed in this article are those of the writer and not of Reuters. ]

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[ Any views expressed in this article are those of the writer and not of Reuters. ]

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Last updated:Wed May 20 12:45:47 2009