20th January 2011

The local commander of the Congolese military (FARDC) accused of leading mass rapes in Fizi, South Kivu on New Year's Day has been arrested according to recent reports. Trials could start next week.

The U.N. has confirmed that up to 10 Congolese military have been detained in relation to the mass rapes and violent attacks in Fizi on New Year's Day. Trials are scheduled for as early as next week and are to be held in Fizi.

Today, it is being reported that Lt. Col. Kibibi Mutware, the local FARDC leader, has also been arrested after having been removed from the area.

U.N. spokesperson Martin Nesirky said yesterday that MONUSCO, the U.N.'s military presence in Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) had asked for the removal of Kibibi and his junior officer. He also stated that 10 FARDC soldiers had been detained already and that 2 majors had fled.

Today, Associated Press are reporting that Kibibi has also been arrested.

If that is so, it is possible that he will be standing trial alongside his subordinates as early as next week. Prior to the arrest of Kibibi, the Governor of South Kivu told the U.N. that the soldiers would be tried in a court which is to be set up in Fizi and that he expects the proceedings to start next week.

Amnesty International told Aljazeera that the events in Fizi "are another telling example of the consequences of the virtual impunity the Congolese forces benefit from.

The rights group said it welcomed the arrests, as well as investigations by South Kivu's military prosecutor.

"More often than not investigations in the DRC are never brought to a conclusion. A recent example of this is the investigation into the mass rapes that occurred in Walikale, North Kivu, in August 2010 which have now stalled," Amnesty said.