Congolese rebel leader (1960–2014)
Jules Mutebutsi, also known as Jules Mutebusi and Jules Mutebuzi, (c. 1960 – 9 May 2014) was a Congolese military person and rebel leader of the Rally for Congolese Democracy.[1][2] He has been often described as a Rwandan proxy.[2] Mutebutsi was captured in 2004 and was put on trial for treason. He was soon sentenced to exile.[citation needed] He would remain in exile until his death in 2014.
Career
Mutebutsi was a Munyamulenge from South Kivu Province.[2]
On 26 May 2004 Mutebutsi together with Laurent Nkunda captured the city of Bukavu.[3] Both were soldiers in the military of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. They cited they wished to protect the Banyamulenge population in the DRC.[4] During their occupation of the city Amnesty International called on the two to make their troops observe human rights after violations had occurred.[5] On 9 June they withdrew after they were defeated by government troops, Mutebutsi fled to Rwanda, together with 300 troops and stayed in the city of Ntendezi.[2][6] He held the rank of Colonel at the time of his escape to Rwanda.[7] Mutebutsi said he fled towards Rwanda because Congolese and United Nations troops were trying to kill him.[7] He was arrested in December 2007 by rwandeses authorities when he tried to cross the border into DRC.[3] He remained in exile and under house arrest in Rwanda.[2]
Mutebutsi died in a Kigali hospital from an illness (probably an heart attack), aged 54.[8] Prior to his death Mutebutsi had voiced concern over his safety, as he had not supported the March 23 Movement.[2][3]
References
