by David Youant
LUBERIZI, DR Congo, Nov 10, 2009 (AFP) - Rebels held guns to their heads and took everything in their hut, terrorising Chantal Furaha and her husband after bursting into their village in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.
"They took everything, the mobile phones, the radio set and at least 400 (US) dollars," she said.
It is an all too frequent occurrence in the Kivu provinces where Rwandan Hutu rebels remain a threat to the local population months after a joint operation by Congolese and Rwandan forces to drive them out.
The presence of an army base does little to reassure residents of Luberizi. Neither did it deter the rebels, who shot their way into the garrison, tying up guards and seizing weapons, ammunition and battle dress before turning their attentions to the village during the November 3 raid.
"Everybody was asleep when we heard people who were shooting everywhere. When they arrived here, eight men came into the clearing and threatened to shoot into the house if we didn't open the door," recalled the 23-year-old Chantal, cradling her eight-month old baby.
They ransacked shops, homes and the village pharmacy before vanishing into the surrounding verdant mountains.
Several sources said two of the rebels were killed in the attack, including the leader, a former Congolese army officer who had gove over to the Rwandans, and the woman companion of one of the rebels who died of her wounds.
The FDLR, some of whose leaders are believed to have participated in Rwanda's 1994 genocide, has been sheltering in the forests of eastern Congo for 15 years.
But recently the militants have been deliberately targeting civilians to punish them for their government's decision to launch military operations against the group, human rights groups said in a report last month.
Rights groups say that since the operations began in January, 1,000 civilians have been killed, 7,000 women raped, and more than 6,000 homes have been burned down.
"There's talk in the village that they're going to come back. I don't know if it's true, but we're no longer safe," Chantal added. For her, "it doesn't matter whether the military are here or not."
Trust in the military also seems to have been undermined by the fact that the local military camp in Luberizi houses more than 1,000 former militia fighters who have joined the regular army as part of a previous peace deal.
Benoit Bwasho, who had one of the best stocked shops in the village, which he had just resupplied the day before the rebels attacked, lost more than most during the raid, but put his life first.
"I was inside (the shop) when I heard gunfire," Benoit told AFP, pointing to the bullet holes in the door. "I preferred to run away and let them take what they wanted."
He estimates that he lost 1,500 dollars (1,000 euros) worth of clothing and other stolen goods, and fears the rebels "could come back at any moment."
In the house opposite, Florence Bahati, who sells fried food, was another victim.
"The broke in the door, then they beat me and they ate my fritters," said Florence, who wants army reinforcements to deter a repeat attack.
In a kiosk run by Promesse Fataki, 18, the FDLR made off with boxes of eggs and telephone cards.
A week after the attack, "there's no longer any life" in Luberizi, admits the camp's deputy commander, Colonel Roland Lukanga.
"It seems they are going to going back," he sighed. "But we're ready for them. They surprised us once, but they won't do that a second time."
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Copyright (c) 2009 Agence France Presse
Received by NewsEdge Insight: 11/10/2009 11:48:37
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