SUMMARY

Kata Katanga targeted civilians in the "triangle of death" area situated between Manono - Mitwaba - Pweto in southern DR Congo. Part of the one-sided violence by Kata Katanga targeted Batwa civilians. These killings originated in the decision of Batwa to refuse to join the mainly Baluba militia in their fight for Katangan independence. Some Batwa cooperated with the government of DR Congo and were used as scouts in the fight against Kata Katanga. In parallel Batwa had started a campaign demanding the respect of their rights including local government representation, access to land, fair customary taxes, and an end to discrimination. As revenge for the support to the government, Kata Katanga attacked villages and killed Batwa civilians. This triggered communal violence between the Baluba and Batwa who started to form ethnic militias.

Kata Katanga first became active as a one-sided actor in UCDP data in 2013, when the one-sided violence resulted in more than 25 civilian deaths. The threshold was reached sometime between late January and early February of that year when the group killed more than 60 civilians in Mwemena village.