militia groups
Summary: Il y a beaucoup de milices qui habitent dans Virunga. Le groupe le plus connu est M23. Les soldats font le combat contre d'autres milices et les gardes-forestiers. Ils participent dans la déforestation et la vente de charbon de bois pour acheter les armes et continuer à combattre.
WHAT ARE MILITIAS?
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Militias are a force raised from the people and are used in emergencies. They are not professional and some militias engage in rebel or terrorist attacks. Since winning their independence from Belgium, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has been full of conflict and war. Countries around the DRC are in a conflict and the DRC is right in the middle of it. Militias are in and out of Virunga National Park and are damaging the forest and wildlife.
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aid for refugees of war and child soldiers
(MLA Citation)
What are the major militia groups living in and around Virunga?
Here is a list of some of the major militia groups in the Virunga National Park:
M23
Allied Democratic Forces (ADF)
Mai Mai Mayangase Militias
National Congress for the Defense of the People (CNDP)
Coalition of Congolese Patriotic Resistance (PARECO)
The Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA)
Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR)
M23
Allied Democratic Forces (ADF)
Mai Mai Mayangase Militias
National Congress for the Defense of the People (CNDP)
Coalition of Congolese Patriotic Resistance (PARECO)
The Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA)
Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR)
Why are they in and around Virunga?
Virunga, one of the largest forests in the world, is home to many beautiful and endangered species and natural riches. More than 25% of the world’s endangered Mountain Gorillas live in Virunga. Other endangered animals include elephants, hippos, and okapi. Militias are always in and out of Virunga hunting endangered species and cutting down the forest. Some militias are backed by surrounding countries, and are given money and supplies and weapons in exchange for hunted animals, coal, and wood.
Why do they continue to fight each other?
An ongoing war between countries surrounding the DRC has made matters worse for Virunga. Militias go in and fight militias who are backed by enemy countries. Many also fight to take control of Virunga to take advantage of its natural treasures. As the park rangers are trained more and more, it makes it harder for some groups to go in and take whats needed, so they try and fight of rangers and attack.
What impact does the fighting have on the park?
After the DRC won its independence from Belgium, crime grew in the country and the park was no longer protected. For a long time, there was nobody there to help protect the forest and the wildlife. Poachers were free to hunt and skin animals without worrying about getting caught. The war has caused damage in major areas of the park and has killed many animals. Soldiers in nearby camps cut down large areas of the forest for coal and wood. As the conflict grows, more and more of the park is in danger of being ruined. A british oil company has even hired rebel group M23 to clear the park of rangers and check to see if the oil company can collect oil in certain areas.
How do militias find funding?
Many groups are backed by countries such as Rwanda and Uganda, and are given guns and other supplies in exchange for coal, wood, and skin from inside Virunga. As the militias grow, some groups pay the militias for the crimes they commit.