It is stated in section 3.2.1 of The Democratic Republic of Congo: The August 1998 Rebellion and Affected Groups, published by the Research Directorate in December 1998, that "the major pro-Kabila militia groups are those associated with the Maï-Maï [Mayi-Mayi], the Wangilima and the National Liberation Resistance Council (Conseil de résistance pour la libération nationale). The same source of information adds that "solidly supported by the Nandé, Hundé, Bashi and Bembé ethnic groups of North and South Kivu, these militia groups are all opposed to the presence of Tutsis in the region. The document is available in all Regional Documentation Centres.

In its recent study entitled The Agreement on A cease-fire in the Democratic Republic of Congo: An analysis of the Agreement and Prospects for Peace, the International Crisis Group (ICG) states that "the Maï-Maï are closely allied to with the Interahamwe militias [Rwandese militia who carried out the 1994 genocide in Rwanda] and have been fighting with them against the Rwanda Patriotic Front forces and the Congolese rebels" (20 Aug. 1999, 14).

According to Info-Congo/Kinshasa, President Kabila recently appointed Sylvestre Lwecha and Padiri, both leaders of Maï-Maï militia, to high positions within the Congolese army, as respectively "chef d'état-major général and "général de brigade" (30 Sept. 1999, 1). The Maï-Maï militia group is allied to the Kabila régime (ibid.; AFP 7 Oct. 1999; ibid. 18 June 1999).

A 2 November 1999 Belgium daily Le Soir revealed that, in preparation of the new fighting, Maï-Maï forces, based in Kivu region, are still receiving arms and ammunitions from the Kabila government.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.

Agence France Presse (AFP). 7 October 1999. Emmanuel Goujou. "Le nord-Kivu renoue avec l'insécurité." (NEXIS)

_____. 18 June 1999. "Une cinquantaine de soldats burundais faits prisonniers selon Kinshasa." (NEXIS)

Info-Congo/Kinshasa [Montréal]. 30 September 1999. No 153. "Difficile application des accords de Lusaka."

International Crisis Group (ICR). 20 August 1999. "The Agreement on A Cease-fire in the Democratic Republic of Congo: An analysis of the Agreement and Prospects for Peace." http://www.crisisweb.org/. [Accessed 3 Nov. 1999].

Le Soir [Bruxelles]. 2 November. Braeckman C. "Les manœuvres en cours obscurcissent toujours l'éventualité d'une solution politique : neuf questions pour aider à comprendre le casse-tête congolais." http://lesoir.be/A2A46.htm. [Accessed 2 Nov. 1999].