A/HRC/38/31
intention for them to give birth to Chokwe children, as ethnicity is passed on through the
male line. Luba-speaking children of all ages were also brought to the farms, where they
were mistreated and malnourished. In some cases, the names of Luba-speaking children
were changed to Chokwe names. At the time of writing this report, women and children
were still being held on the farms.
(e)
Northern part of Kamonia territory
87.
In villages located in the north of Tshikapa, persons belonging to the Pende ethnic
group calling themselves Écurie Mbe attacked Luba-speakers and injured and killed
civilians, abducted children who were later reportedly enslaved and looted and burned
down homes.
VIII. Consequences of the Kasaï crisis and the current situation
88.
Since August 2017, the level of violence has decreased in all the provinces of Kasaï.
However, crisis-related violence is still being reported, indicating that the causes of the
conflict have not yet been addressed. FARDC has continued to use excessive force in
operations against the Kamuina Nsapu militia. Persons wrongfully suspected of belonging
to the militia continue to be detained, beaten or killed. Villages suspected of harbouring
militia members have been looted or burned down. For example, on 30 November, in
Kamonia territory, Kasaï Province, a FARDC force raided the village of Kabeya-Lumbu,
which they associated with the Kamuina Nsapu militia. The soldiers opened fire on the
population near the market after food had been distributed by a humanitarian organization,
killing and wounding numerous people. In general, the strong military presence in Kasaï
has led to the harassment of the population; numerous cases of extortion have been
reported, particularly at FARDC-controlled roadblocks.
89.
The Kamuina Nsapu militia has remained active, especially in Kasaï Central, and
continues to recruit members, including children, and to carry out attacks, albeit on a lesser
scale. For example, on the night of 30 April 2018, militia members attacked and killed the
acting customary chief of Kamuina Nsapu village, who was close to provincial authorities,
along with three members of his family.
90.
In the southern part of the territory of Kamonia, strained relations between members
of the Chokwe and Luba ethnic groups have also led to attacks on villages by the Bana
Mura militias and clashes between the Bana Mura militiamen and persons belonging to the
Luba ethnic group over access to mining sites. Luba women, sometimes with their children,
continue to be enslaved by Bana Mura militiamen. Despite advocacy efforts by some
international organizations, the response of defence and security forces to these crimes
remains insufficient. What is more, the presence of the Bana Mura militias prevents Luba
internally displaced persons from returning to their villages of origin.
91.
The violence in Kasaï has caused an acute and unprecedented humanitarian crisis,
with the displacement of an estimated 1.4 million people, including 35,000 refugees in
Angola. According to figures from the World Food Programme and the Food and
Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, some 3.2 million people continue to be
affected by severe food insecurity, and malnutrition rates are high, especially among
children.
92.
The team of international experts has been shocked by the humanitarian situation, in
particular the precariousness of the groups displaced by the violence. Many of the people
interviewed had spent weeks or even months living in extremely difficult conditions before
reaching cities such as Tshikapa or Kikwit. They had fled the violence without any help or
with minimal assistance or relief. Some displaced people, including children, have died of
malnutrition or disease. The proliferation of barriers controlled by armed factions has
impeded access to fields, which, in turn, has affected the local economy. Lastly, the
collection of illegal taxes has raised the price of basic goods.
93.
Children have been particularly affected by the violence in Kasaï; they have been
both the main victims and the main perpetrators of the violence. According to figures from
GE.18-10936
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