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Mission Kenge

  • A photo report by Gwenn Dubourthoumieu from the city of Kenge in the Democratic Republic of Congo – scene of a massacre on 5 May 1997 and still suffering from the effects of conflict 12 years later.



 
   

1. Kenge – in Bandundu province, 280 kilometres east of Kinshasa – is an important military post, situated on top of a hill overlooking the surrounding valleys.

On 5 May 1997, the city was the stage of the last battle before the fall of the Mobutu regime, between the regular army of Zaire and the forces of Laurent Désiré Kabila, who was to overthrow the longtime President.

This day will remain marked due to the massacre of the civilians perpetrated by the special forces of Mobutu before they fled the rebel forces. These killings cost the lives of more than 300 innocent people. At the same time, in their disarray, the presidential forces left behind numerous explosive devices and set fire to a large stock of weapons and ammunition. Since 5 May 1997, Kenge often puts to rest victims of the unexploded ordnance which remains spread across the town.



   

2. Longin Kafinga Mbumba, chief of Kenge city.

"On May 5th, 1997, massacres took place close to the Kibanguist church: communal graves have been discovered. Since this day, Kenge regularly buries victims of grenades and ammunition found underground or abandoned by the soldiers. The people, living exclusively on agriculture, are exposed to the danger since they must go to the bush and in the forest to cultivate. In order to prevent further loss of human lives, I asked MAG to come to Kenge."

3. Maman Makasi (left) was a victim of a mortar on the 5th May, 1997.

Four out of her five children died during the bombardments. Doctors, because of their lack of resources, had to amputate her leg in order to avoid gangrene.

4. Shadrak Mabanga (right) was not even one year old when fragments of a mortar hit his mother.

While on her back, he miraculously survived the shrapnel that lodged in his chest and his left arm.
   

5. The parents of Pierre Mbangi Mutaku, victim of a grenade nine years after the end of the conflict.

"It was a Sunday. The children went to the spring close to our house looking for water when one of them found a hand grenade. It was making a noise, like a little click. My son wanted to run away, but the other boy told him: "Don’t be a woman!". The grenade was laying on the floor when it exploded, killing both instantly. Since this day, people live with fear every time they go to that spring. What MAG is doing is important for the security of everyone. We need you so we can be free."

6. Spreading safety messages at the community radio of Kenge.

Community radios are growing in number in the Democratic Republic of Congo since the end of the Mobutu era.

They remain the most efficient mass medium to broadcast a message to a larger audience, often illiterate and deprived of television.

7. A Mine Risk Education session at the Ngemba school.

The school is very close to the military camp where a seven-year-old girl died in 2007, the victim of a grenade abandoned 10 years earlier.

8. A resident of Kenge indicates to MAG Community Liaison team the location of a rocket propelled grenade, buried here several years ago.

9. A member of MAG's Emergency Response Team conducts Battle Area Clearance close to the Ngemba military camp.

10. After two weeks of work in Kenge, MAG discovered 331 explosive devices.

These included 299 mortars, 16 hand grenades, 5 anti-tank mines, 10 fuses and one air-to-ground missile.

All these items of unexploded ordnance are then carefully stocked for future demolition.
  [Photos: MAG / Gwenn Dubourthoumieu]

19 May 09

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