SUMMARY
The Rastas is a militant group which has been active in the eastern regions of the DR Congo (Zaire), more specifically in the Kabare and Walungu territories of the South Kivu region. More specifically the group resided in the Mugaba forest situated between Nindja and Kaniola. The Rastas appeared for the first time in 2004, and is generally seen as a splinter faction of the FDLR (Forces Démocratiques de Libération du Rwanda, Democratic Liberation Forces of Rwanda), the organisation of Hutu rebels which was formed from Hutu refugees and the masses of ex-Rwandan army soldiers and Interahamwe militias following on the first episode of the Rwandan civil conflict. It is however unclear if the members of the Rastas are themselves implicated in the Rwandan genocide of 1994. Some accounts of the groups origin trace it to year 2000 when a small group of Rwandan Hutu fighters settled in the border area of Kabare and Walungu. These fighters were later joined by other FDLR deserters, for example a group led by Jean-Marie Kiyombe who had deserted FDLR. The early Rastas cooperated with General Padiri's Mayi Mayi in its war against RCD. The dynamic in the region changed after a peace agreement integrated General Padiri's Mayi Mayi into the national army of DR Congo in 2003. Most leaders from the early Rastas was repatriated to Rwanda in 2004. The remaining Rastas were led by Kiyombe and called Rasta-Kiyombe until he diasappeared from the scene.
The name ‘Rastas’ stems from the fact that many of the group’s members have grown Rastafarian dreadlocks. The group has no outspoken political agenda or stated goals, but its activities have been closely linked to the conflicts that have played out in the eastern DR Congo (Zaire) between the FDLR and the forces of the government of Rwanda. The Rastas group has to no great extent attacked Rwandese forces, and have instead become known for numerous accounts of murder, rape and looting.
The Rastas is thought to be a relatively small group in terms of manpower, numbering only around 100 men, some sources even believe the real size of the group is less than 15 fighters. The group’s exact links to the FDLR are somewhat shrouded in mystery, but it has been reported that the FDLR at the least allowed the group to pass their checkpoints. In 2007 FDLR clashed with the Rastas in the Nindja chefferie.
The first leader of Rasts was called "Koffi" and his deputy "Abdou", he was repatriated to Rwanda and the leader of the new group was Jean-Marie Kiyombe. No leader replaced Kiyombe when he disappeared but "Bingwa", "Lola" and "Chinja Chinja" have all been called symbolic leaders of the group.
