DRC: Troops sodomize pygmies to gain “supernatural powers”

By Calvin Palmer
Calvin Palmer’s Weblog
May 9, 2009

A human rights group today accused government troops of sodomizing pygmies in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The troops commit the act in the belief they will gain supernatural powers.

“Some soldiers from the 85th Brigade sodomised three male pygmies to gain supernatural powers and protection in Kisa village in Walikale territory,” said the Human Rights League of the Great Lakes.

“The village chief was stripped and sodomized in the presence of his wife, his children and daughter in-law.

“The children in turn were stripped and raped in front of their father.”

The Human Rights League also said armed groups in the region and renegade government troops are also abusing the pygmies, raping the elderly and children.

Among the armed groups roaming the eastern part of Congo are the Rwandan Hutu Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) rebels.

The United Nations and global human rights organisations have accused the FDLR of engaging in mass murder, rape and pillage of locals’ property.

[Based on a report by the AFP news agency.]