The Rastas (French: les Rasta) are an armed criminal group active in Eastern parts of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, believed to have been founded in 2004. Its members are predominantly Rwandan Hutus and former génocidaires and are believed to have ties to the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) militia active in the same region.[1] The Rastas live as fugitives in the Congolese forest and are heavily armed. They have engaged in acts of violent crime, including kidnapping, rape, burning babies and chopping their foes.[1] Group members have adopted Rastafarian-style dreadlocks and wear Los Angeles Lakers jerseys and tracksuits.[1]
References
edit- ^ a b c Gettleman, Jeffrey (October 7, 2007). "Rape Epidemic Raises Trauma of Congo War". The New York Times. Archived from the original on April 11, 2023. Retrieved January 20, 2016.
Further reading
edit- "6,000 flee Congo violence: UN". ABC News. Archived from the original on October 28, 2016.
- "Africa - Living with Rwanda's Hutu rebels". BBC News. Archived from the original on March 12, 2022.
- "Hutu Rebels Deny Massacres In Congo". Sky News.[dead link]
- "Children slaughtered by Rwandan rebels". The Telegraph. Archived from the original on July 6, 2016.
- "Central Africa: DRC: Rwandan Rebels Abuse Congolese Civilians - UN Report". All Africa. (Archive)
- "Rwanda rebels kill women, children". Al Jazeera. Archived from the original on August 1, 2018.
- "Rwandan rebels kill 25 villagers in DRC". Mail & Guardian. Archived from the original on May 29, 2023.
- Autesserre, Severine; Autesserre, Séverine (14 June 2010). The Trouble with the Congo. p. 157. ISBN 9780521191005.
- "U.N.: Rwandan rebels kill 17 in village attacks". CNN. Archived from the original on May 31, 2007.
