GLOSSARY

The term “Mai Mai” refers to tribal militias in the Democratic Republic of Congo and stems from “Mau Mau”, a type of Kenyan soldier who fought against British colonial rulers. The Mai Mai also see it as their responsibility to defend their villages from foreign influence. In 1994, Rwandan troops invaded the Democratic Republic of Congo, sparking conflict with many local defensive militias.

Since then, the very loosely organised Mai Mai groups, which can be found all over the Congo region, have entered into many alliances. Originally welcomed by the population, they too fell victim to the temptation of the Congo’s raw materials. In the Nord-Kivu and Sud-Kivu provinces, Mai Mai commanders soon became the warlords from whom they had originally set out to protect the population. Securing mines and paid combat missions commissioned by the government was the new focus and the population was terrorised. 

The most recent reliable Mai Mai statistics come from 2001 and were published by the United Nations. Leaders such as Generals Padiri and Dunia had access to as many as 30,000 soldiers, including children. While the two commanders plundered the region by order of the Congolese government, other Mai Mai militias were commissioned by companies and neighbouring countries.

Former Mai Mai leader, Kyungu Mayele, was sentenced to death in 2009 for his war crimes in Katanga Province. UN troops managed to arrest another Mai Mai commander, also called Mayele, near the city of Beni in Nord-Kivu in October 2010. He is also to be tried for war crimes. Alongside the LRA and FDLR, the Mai Mai pose the greatest danger for the Congolese population. Many of the victims seek protection in the city of Beni, where the Rebound project helps young adults affected by the war.