Nduma Defense of Congo
{{Short description|Rebel group based in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2023}}
{{Infobox militant organization
| name = Nduma Defense of Congo
| logo =
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| native_name = Nduma défense du Congo
| native_name_lang = fr
| other_name = Mai-Mai Sheka
| leader = Ntabo Ntaberi Sheka (2009-2017)
Mandaima (2017-present)
| foundation = 2009
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| successor = {{flagicon image|NDCRflag.svg}} Nduma Defense of Congo-Renovated
| country = Democratic Republic of the Congo
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| area = North Kivu
| headquarters = Pinga (November 2012 – November 2013)
Buniyampuli (until July 2014)
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| crimes = Mass rape, murder, sexual slavery, recruitment of child soldiers
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| opponents = {{flag|Democratic Republic of the Congo|name=FARDC}}
{{flagicon|United Nations}} MONUSCO
{{flagicon image|NDCRflag.svg}} Nduma Defense of Congo-Renovated
| battles = Kivu conflict
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The Nduma Defense of Congo ({{langx|fr|Nduma défense du Congo}} or NDC, also known as Mai-Mai Sheka) is a rebel group based in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo.{{Cite web|url=https://www.hrw.org/news/2015/01/06/dr-congo-wanted-rebels-troops-instill-fear|title=DR Congo: Wanted Rebel's Troops Instill Fear|date=2015-01-06|website=Human Rights Watch|language=en|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2019-04-06|last3=t 1.212.290.4700|first3=NY 10118-3299 USA {{!}}}}{{Cite web|url=https://news.un.org/en/story/2017/07/562412-war-crimes-fugitive-surrenders-un-peacekeepers-dr-congo-un-advocate-urges|title=War crimes fugitive surrenders to UN peacekeepers in DR Congo; UN advocate urges justice for victims|date=2017-07-27|website=UN News|language=en|access-date=2019-04-06}} It is one of the various Mai-Mai rebel militias that were formed ostensibly to defend villages from attacks from Rwandan forces and Rwandan-backed rebel groups. However, the NDC have been accused of sexual violence, looting, and fighting all sides including fellow militias, the Congolese military, and the United Nations.{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/21/world/africa/21congo.html|title=Mai Mai Fighters Third Piece in Congo's Violent Puzzle|last=Gettleman|first=Jeffrey|date=2008-11-20|work=The New York Times|access-date=2019-04-06|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331}}
The NDC was formed in 2009 by former minerals trader Ntabo Ntaberi Sheka, an ethnic Nyanga. Sheka claims the group was formed to liberate the mines of Walikale Territory in North Kivu.
According to the United Nations, Sheka commanded a mass rape of at least 387 women, men, and children over a three-day span in Walikale in 2010.{{Cite web|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/amp/news/2017/07/ntabo-ntaberi-sheka-rebel-leader-surrenders-170727073230092.html|title=Ntabo Ntaberi Sheka: Rebel leader surrenders to UN|website=www.aljazeera.com|access-date=2019-04-06}} This was said to be a punishment for the villagers collaborating with the Congolese government forces. In 2011, Sheka was added to a United Nations Security Council sanctions list and a warrant was issued for his arrest in the DRC.
On 12 November 2012 Pinga was captured by NDC and remained under its control as of March 2013.[https://monusco.unmissions.org/en/population-pinga-nord-kivu-welcomes-work-monusco THE POPULATION OF PINGA, NORD KIVU, WELCOMES THE WORK OF MONUSCO], 4 March 2013 In November 2013 NDC withdrew from Pinga and kidnapped dozens of women as sex slaves.[https://www.hrw.org/node/265845/printable/print DR Congo: Wanted Rebel’s Troops Instill Fear], 6 January 2015 In July 2014 armed forces launched offensive against NDC recapturing Kashebere-Walikale road including its stronghold of Buniyampuli.[https://www.securitycouncilreport.org/atf/cf/%7B65BFCF9B-6D27-4E9C-8CD3-CF6E4FF96FF9%7D/s_2014_698.pdf Report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo], 25 September 2014
In 2017, Sheka surrendered to the DRC in North Kivu. On 24 November 2020, a military court has sentenced Sheka to life for war crimes including murder, sexual slavery and child soldier recruitment.{{Cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-congo-crime-idUSKBN2832OQ|title=Congo warlord sentenced to life for war crimes|newspaper=Reuters|date=23 November 2020}}
The UN Security Council has documented numerous cases of the NDC recruiting child soldiers. According to a 2014 report, at least 33 children separated from the group.{{Cite web |url=http://www.securitycouncilreport.org/atf/cf/%7B65BFCF9B-6D27-4E9C-8CD3-CF6E4FF96FF9%7D/s_2015_19.pdf|title=Final report of the Group of Experts on the Democratic Republic of the Congo|last=|first=|publisher=United Nations Security Council|year=2014|website=|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=}} They said their roles included carrying ammunition and acting as talisman, as well as "combatants, cooks, marijuana farmers and tax collectors." The children were held to the group through a mixture of threats to their family or the payment of $10–12 per month.
A 2014 splinter saw the new group NCD-Renouveau created by former NDC deputy Guidon (or Guido).{{Cite web|url=http://www.rfi.fr/afrique/20160618-rdc-ndc-renove-guidon-sheka-attaque-buleusa-walikal-lubero-nord-kivu|title=RDC: le NDC-Rénové du chef Guidon, pointé du doigt dans l'attaque de Buleusa - RFI|website=RFI Afrique|date=18 June 2016|language=fr|access-date=2019-04-08}}