Cobra Matata
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Cobra Matata (also known as Banaloki Matata,[1][2] Justin Banaloki,[3][4] Justin Wanaloki,[5] Justin Matata Wanaloki,[6] and Matata Wanaloki[7])[nb 1] is a former leader of the Front for Patriotic Resistance in Ituri (FRPI)[8] and Popular Front for Justice in Congo (FPJC)[9] militias active in the Ituri conflict in the northeastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. He was previously a member of the D.R. Congo armed forces (FARDC), having integrated in 2007 before deserting to reconstitute a rebel group in 2010.[1][8][10] In November 2006, Matata had agreed to disarm in exchange for amnesty.[11] In the FARDC, Matata attained the rank of colonel[6][12] or general.[5][7] The International Criminal Court classified Matata as Ngiti.[13]
Cobra Matata[nb 1] | |
---|---|
Nationality | D.R. Congo |
Other names | Banaloki Matata Justin Banaloki Justin Wanaloki Justin Matata Wanaloki Matata Wanaloki |
Known for | Leader of the FRPI and FPJC |
Matata has been accused of leading the massacre at Nyakunde Hospital in 2002, which resulted in the deaths of at least 1,200 civilians, and the subsequent Bogoro massacre.[6][14] Matata succeeded Germain Katanga as leader of the FRPI after Katanga integrated into the FARDC in 2004.[12] Matata surrendered to the Congolese government on November 21, 2014, and was arrested on January 2, 2015, in Bunia, a city in Ituri, for crimes against humanity, war crimes, and the use of child soldiers.[2][15] Matata was also accused of forming a rebel group, desertion, and attempting to escape detention.[3][4] Prior to his surrender, Matata commanded an estimated 1,000 combatants in Ituri.[7][16] The FARDC falsely claimed in 2011 that it had killed Matata.[17]