DR Congo: 14 soldiers arrested for ‘looting civilians’

By Godfrey Olukya

ARU, Democratic Republic of Congo

Authorities said Friday they have arrested 14 army men, including two senior officers, for allegedly looting civilians' homes in north Kivu province of Democratic Republic of Congo.

Security official Lt. Richard Lokonga told Anadolu Agency that the army men were deployed to hunt for Mai Mai militiamen in Kalau area but instead they turned to looting civilians.

Over 80 victims of the army men's misbehavior are already heard by army investigators, who are working with the technical support of the UN Joint Human Rights Office, he added.

"The senior operational military auditor of North Kivu has arrested 14 soldiers, including senior army officers. They are accused of looting homes during a military operation," said Lokonga.

He mentioned that the arrested senior officers included Maj. Cesar Lwamba and Capt. Mabosoli Baninga. They along with other soldiers are held in central prison of Beni.

The security official said after overpowering the militiamen, the soldiers allegedly forced their way into peoples' houses and looted mattresses, chickens, goats, money and other valuables.

The soldiers and officers will face court martial soon, he added.