Women and girls have reportedly been flogged by militiamen in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) for wearing short skirts or trousers.
Confirming this act by the armed Malaika group, the government vowed to punish the perpetrators.
Prime Minister Jean-Michel Sama Lukonde “condemned the degrading and inhuman abuses by the militiamen” from the armed Malaika group, according to a cabinet meeting communique published on Saturday.
Lukonde said that he militia, who are imposing Islamic sharia punishments in the area under their control, had “recently flogged girls and women dressed in short skirts and trousers”.
Lukonde was quoted as having said that a government delegation would be dispatched to the area – Salambila, in the eastern province of Maniema – and report back so the perpetrators could be punished.
One of several armed groups that operate freely in the volatile, mineral-rich east of the vast Central African country, the Malaika militia, which claims to represent the interests of local people, wants the government to hand over a bigger share of revenue from the Salamabila gold mines.
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