Bunia Is No-go for the Lendu
Ethnic Lendu residents of this village in the bloodsoaked Ituri region of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) dare not venture into Bunia, the area’s main town now under the control of French troops. The peacekeeping force with a United Nations mandate has chased out of Bunia fighters loyal to the Union of Congolese Patriots, a movement of the Hema tribe, bitter foes of the Lendu. But, Hemas still control the surrounding areas. Zumbe lies on the flank of a mountain of the same name, no more than 30km, but two hours of backbreaking drive through a dirt track from Bunia. John, a student encountered at the foot of the mountain, said he was whipped by Hema militants in Bunia when he went there to pay the fee for taking an examination. Full Story