29:
401:
340:, was initially neutral. The Ninja-controlled districts of Brazzaville, Bacongo and Makélékélé therefore suffered far less casualties than the rest of the city during the first months of the war. In September, Kolélas sided with Lissouba, and was installed as Prime Minister. The Ninjas thus entered the war on Lissouba's side. The alliance between the Ninjas and Lissouba's Cocoyes was formalized with the founding of the Mouvement National pour la Liberation du Congo (MNLC), but Ninja leaders such as
118:
385:. On June 10, 2008, the National Programme of Demobilisation, Disarmament and Reintegration (NPDDR), aiming to reintegrate ex-combatants from the wars of the 1990s and 2000s into civilian society, was launched. Ntoumi spoke at the launching in Kinkala and announced the disbanding of the Ninjas. He was offered a government post in September 2007, but remained in hiding until December 2009, when he went to Brazzaville to take up the post.
233:
415:
suppression. Violence continued with events such as shelling by the
Congolese armed forces and attacks on trains by the Ninja militia. The Congolese government and the Ninja militia signed a ceasefire agreement on 23 December 2017. Pursuant to the terms of the agreement, the Ninjas were to hand over their arms and cease their interference with trade between the cities of Brazzaville and Pointe Noire.
134:
369:
316:, violent conflict between the militias began. In this conflict, which lasted until 1994, the Ninjas were allied with Sassou Nguesso's Cobras against Lissouba's Cocoyes. In December 1995, the parties in the conflict signed a peace treaty where they agreed that militiamen aged 18–24 would be integrated into the national
359:
and fought an insurgency against the new government. In 1999, leaders of the Ninjas and
Cocoyes signed a ceasefire agreement. Following the ceasefire and defeats against government forces, about 2000 Ninjas and Cocoyes surrendered to the government. The ceasefire agreement was condemned by Kolélas.
376:
There were several major clashes between government forces and Ninjas in 2002 and 2003, resulting in large humanitarian casualties. In March 2003, Ninja leaders signed agreements with the government to cease hostilities in Pool. Despite the peace accords, many Ninja militiamen remained active, and
414:
In 2016, Bintsamou again raised his forces after contested modifications of the constitution by president Sassou-Nguesso. On 4 April 2016, the
Congolese government accused the Ninja militia of attacking security forces. The militia denied the accusations, calling them false pretext for political
220:. The conflict in the Pool escalated in a series of violent clashes in 2002-03, after which the Ninja leadership eventually gave up their armed struggle. Ntoumi announced the disbanding of the Ninjas in 2008 but they resurfaced in 2016, starting the
380:
In June 2007, Ntoumi announced that the Ninjas were "going into constructive opposition" and were determined "to work for peace in Pool and across the country". Ninja members led by Ntoumi burned around 100 of their weapons in a ceremony in
309:
324:
also launched a plan to disarm the militias. These programs to pacify the country were controversial and unsuccessful, and the militias survived. In peacetime, the morale among the Ninjas suffered due to lack of payments.
336:
and the Cocoye, Zulu, and Mamba militias) clashed with those of Denis Sassou
Nguesso (including the Cobra militia and Sassou Nguesso's sympathizers in the army). Kolélas, then Mayor of
272:
News, analysts believed Ntoumi commanded "only a few hundred dedicated fighters and up to 3,000 more loosely attached", the latter of which were divided and unenthusiastic.
1015:
313:
260:
told him to revive the Ninjas. Ninja militiamen wore the colour purple (symbolizing suffering), and had their hair in dreadlocks. They were reported to believe that the
209:
205:
152:
162:
28:
355:, took control of Brazzaville in October 1997, and overthrew Lissouba's government. Sassou Nguesso returned to the presidency. The Ninjas retreated to the
521:
933:
329:
157:
400:
455:
combatants reportedly killed hundreds and possibly thousands of unarmed civilians at roadblocks in their
Bacongo and Makélékélé strongholds."
333:
836:
778:
656:
974:
959:
918:
308:, elected President from 1992, formed the Ministerial Guard, or Cocoye militia, and the Zulu militia. Bernard Kolélas, leader of the
624:
286:
1010:
894:
865:
807:
695:
557:
487:
377:
engaged in robberies of civilians and train hijackings. As of 2009, active Ninja remnants still exist in the southern Pool.
589:
189:, which participated in numerous wars and insurgencies in the 1990s and 2000s. The Ninjas were formed by the politician
216:. After Sassou Nguesso's victory in this Civil War, Ntoumi's Ninjas fought an insurgency against his government in the
691:
525:
440:
253:
740:
360:
By 1999, American sources speculated if Kolélas and
Lissouba were no longer in control of their militias.
444:
186:
123:
104:
82:
256:, has been described as a cult leader and a "messianic pastor". In 2003, he told a journalist that the
890:
861:
803:
553:
483:
341:
301:
269:
213:
194:
46:
646:
522:"Republic of Congo (Brazzaville): Information on the human rights situation and the Ninja militia"
828:
770:
752:
729:
Bazenguissa-Ganga, RĂ©my (January 1999). "The Spread of
Political Violence in Congo-Brazzaville".
982:
241:
190:
42:
744:
290:
731:
356:
305:
293:
217:
201:
72:
748:
616:
372:
Map showing districts of Pool as well as Pool's location within the
Republic of the Congo
264:
was near. A Ninja leader quoted in a 2000 report claimed that there were "almost 16,000
432:
345:
1004:
886:
857:
799:
687:
549:
479:
427:
there were "numerous credible reports of grave human-rights violations committed by
232:
651:
296:
in 1991. In the new multi-party state, rivaling political leaders formed their own
92:
Estimates of some hundred active; up to 3,000 loosely attached fighters as of 2002
581:
337:
317:
312:(MCDDI) party, formed the Ninjas, recruiting from his party. After the disputed
257:
212:, they allied with Lissouba's forces against the supporters of former President
67:
261:
934:"Des incidents dans le Pool empĂŞchent le bon fonctionnement du CFCO au Congo"
332:
began in June 1997, when the supporters of
President Lissouba (including the
368:
348:
opposed the alliance and defected with their men to Sassou
Nguesso's side.
973:
McAllister, Edward; Elion, Christian; Powell, Stephen (24 December 2017).
832:
774:
585:
409:
221:
167:
620:
436:
382:
297:
245:
182:
756:
352:
321:
304:, President for much of the one-party era, formed the Cobra militia.
139:
310:
Mouvement Congolais pour la DĂ©mocratie et la DĂ©veloppement Integral
517:
424:
399:
389:
367:
249:
231:
887:"In Brief: Former Congolese rebel chief takes up government post"
800:"CONGO: UN warns of "acute humanitarian crisis" in Pool region"
647:"Apocalyptic rebel movement revisits Congo's heart of darkness"
919:"Congo-Brazzaville : "Ne ramassez pas les corps !""
518:
United States Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services
960:"Congo-Brazzaville: la partie de chasse de Sassou Nguesso"
480:"CONGO: Civilians bear brunt of attacks on "Ninja" rebels"
268:
in the Pool region". According to a 2002 news report by
550:"CONGO: Profile of ex-Prime Minister Bernard Kolelas"
858:"CONGO: DDR gets under way for 30,000 ex-combatants"
617:"Congo's Ninja rebels burn weapons and pledge peace"
146:
111:
96:
88:
78:
63:
53:
38:
21:
447:report cited by USCIS stated that "rom June 1997,
197:, alias Pastor Ntoumi, when Kolelas was in exile.
688:"CONGO-BRAZZAVILLE: Background on militia groups"
724:
722:
720:
718:
716:
714:
712:
236:Frederick Bintsamou, also known as Pastor Ntoumi
200:The militia fought the supporters of President
681:
679:
677:
675:
673:
248:ethnic group. The militia was named after the
8:
921:(in French). Paris Match. 15 September 2016.
252:of feudal Japan. The Ninja field commander,
244:, the Ninja militia was associated with the
474:
472:
470:
468:
962:(in French). Paris Match. 13 October 2016.
18:
1016:Rebel groups in the Republic of the Congo
913:
911:
576:
574:
544:
542:
193:in the early 1990s and were commanded by
158:Republic of the Congo Civil War (1997-99)
153:Republic of the Congo Civil War (1993–94)
975:"Congo Republic signs peace accord with"
404:Rifles handed over by the Ninjas in 2019
285:The Republic of the Congo, formerly the
610:
608:
606:
512:
510:
508:
506:
504:
464:
163:2002–03 conflict in the Pool Department
351:Sassou Nguesso's forces, supported by
932:Ngoussou, Ngouela (9 February 2017).
7:
829:"Country profile: Republic of Congo"
749:10.1093/oxfordjournals.afraf.a008001
16:Militia in the Republic of the Congo
582:"Congo Ninja leader dies, aged 76"
240:Formed by and originally loyal to
14:
615:Tsoumou, Christian (2007-06-08).
102:1997–99 Civil War: Cocoye militia
686:Ali-Dinar, Ali B. (1999-02-17).
132:
116:
27:
897:from the original on 2010-02-17
868:from the original on 2010-08-27
839:from the original on 2009-12-31
810:from the original on 2011-06-11
781:from the original on 2009-09-26
698:from the original on 2010-06-28
659:from the original on 2013-08-27
627:from the original on 2009-08-04
592:from the original on 2009-11-16
560:from the original on 2011-06-11
490:from the original on 2010-02-19
330:Republic of the Congo Civil War
281:1990s: Foundation and Civil War
100:1993–94 conflict: Cobra militia
423:According to a 2000 report by
287:People's Republic of the Congo
1:
771:"Timeline: Republic of Congo"
431:militia forces ... including
33:Former Ninja fighters in 2019
645:Carroll, Rory (2003-12-07).
289:(1970–1991), abolished its
59:Early 1990s–2008; 2016–2017
1032:
694:: African Studies Center.
692:University of Pennsylvania
407:
129:Cobra militia (from 1997)
26:
441:extrajudicial executions
388:Bernard Kolélas died in
127:Cocoye militia (1993–94)
1011:Guerrilla organizations
741:Oxford University Press
419:Human rights violations
405:
373:
364:2000s: Pool insurgency
237:
228:Character and ideology
445:Amnesty International
403:
371:
235:
187:Republic of the Congo
124:Republic of the Congo
105:Republic of the Congo
83:Republic of the Congo
342:Claude-Ernest Ndalla
302:Denis Sassou Nguesso
214:Denis Sassou Nguesso
49:a.k.a. Pastor Ntoumi
985:on 29 December 2017
79:Active regions
47:Frédéric Bintsangou
893:News. 2009-12-29.
864:News. 2008-06-10.
806:News. 2003-09-03.
556:News. 2005-12-09.
486:News. 2003-06-03.
406:
374:
320:and police force.
238:
195:Frédéric Bintsamou
55:Dates of operation
210:1997–99 Civil War
206:1993–94 Civil War
175:
174:
1023:
995:
994:
992:
990:
981:. Archived from
970:
964:
963:
956:
950:
949:
947:
945:
929:
923:
922:
915:
906:
905:
903:
902:
883:
877:
876:
874:
873:
854:
848:
847:
845:
844:
825:
819:
818:
816:
815:
796:
790:
789:
787:
786:
767:
761:
760:
726:
707:
706:
704:
703:
683:
668:
667:
665:
664:
642:
636:
635:
633:
632:
612:
601:
600:
598:
597:
578:
569:
568:
566:
565:
546:
537:
536:
534:
533:
524:. Archived from
514:
499:
498:
496:
495:
476:
294:one-party system
291:Marxist-Leninist
147:Battles and wars
138:
136:
135:
122:
120:
119:
56:
31:
19:
1031:
1030:
1026:
1025:
1024:
1022:
1021:
1020:
1001:
1000:
999:
998:
988:
986:
972:
971:
967:
958:
957:
953:
943:
941:
931:
930:
926:
917:
916:
909:
900:
898:
885:
884:
880:
871:
869:
856:
855:
851:
842:
840:
827:
826:
822:
813:
811:
798:
797:
793:
784:
782:
769:
768:
764:
732:African Affairs
728:
727:
710:
701:
699:
685:
684:
671:
662:
660:
644:
643:
639:
630:
628:
614:
613:
604:
595:
593:
580:
579:
572:
563:
561:
548:
547:
540:
531:
529:
516:
515:
502:
493:
491:
478:
477:
466:
461:
421:
412:
398:
396:2010s: Pool war
366:
357:Pool Department
306:Pascal Lissouba
283:
278:
242:Bernard Kolélas
230:
218:Pool Department
202:Pascal Lissouba
191:Bernard Kolélas
133:
131:
130:
128:
126:
117:
115:
103:
101:
73:Pool Department
71:
54:
45:
43:Bernard Kolélas
34:
17:
12:
11:
5:
1029:
1027:
1019:
1018:
1013:
1003:
1002:
997:
996:
979:Reuters Africa
965:
951:
924:
907:
878:
849:
835:. 2009-08-01.
820:
791:
777:. 2009-08-01.
762:
708:
669:
637:
602:
588:. 2009-11-13.
570:
538:
520:(2000-11-14).
500:
463:
462:
460:
457:
433:hostage-taking
420:
417:
408:Main article:
397:
394:
365:
362:
346:Willy Matsanga
314:1993 elections
282:
279:
277:
274:
229:
226:
173:
172:
171:
170:
165:
160:
155:
148:
144:
143:
113:
109:
108:
98:
94:
93:
90:
86:
85:
80:
76:
75:
65:
61:
60:
57:
51:
50:
40:
36:
35:
32:
24:
23:
15:
13:
10:
9:
6:
4:
3:
2:
1028:
1017:
1014:
1012:
1009:
1008:
1006:
984:
980:
976:
969:
966:
961:
955:
952:
939:
935:
928:
925:
920:
914:
912:
908:
896:
892:
888:
882:
879:
867:
863:
859:
853:
850:
838:
834:
830:
824:
821:
809:
805:
801:
795:
792:
780:
776:
772:
766:
763:
758:
754:
750:
746:
742:
738:
734:
733:
725:
723:
721:
719:
717:
715:
713:
709:
697:
693:
689:
682:
680:
678:
676:
674:
670:
658:
654:
653:
648:
641:
638:
626:
622:
618:
611:
609:
607:
603:
591:
587:
583:
577:
575:
571:
559:
555:
551:
545:
543:
539:
528:on 2012-10-10
527:
523:
519:
513:
511:
509:
507:
505:
501:
489:
485:
481:
475:
473:
471:
469:
465:
458:
456:
454:
450:
446:
442:
438:
434:
430:
426:
418:
416:
411:
402:
395:
393:
391:
386:
384:
378:
370:
363:
361:
358:
354:
349:
347:
343:
339:
335:
331:
326:
323:
319:
315:
311:
307:
303:
299:
295:
292:
288:
280:
275:
273:
271:
267:
263:
259:
255:
254:Pastor Ntoumi
251:
247:
243:
234:
227:
225:
223:
219:
215:
211:
207:
203:
198:
196:
192:
188:
184:
180:
169:
166:
164:
161:
159:
156:
154:
151:
150:
149:
145:
141:
125:
114:
110:
106:
99:
95:
91:
87:
84:
81:
77:
74:
69:
66:
62:
58:
52:
48:
44:
41:
37:
30:
25:
20:
987:. Retrieved
983:the original
978:
968:
954:
942:. Retrieved
937:
927:
899:. Retrieved
881:
870:. Retrieved
852:
841:. Retrieved
823:
812:. Retrieved
794:
783:. Retrieved
765:
736:
730:
700:. Retrieved
661:. Retrieved
652:The Guardian
650:
640:
629:. Retrieved
594:. Retrieved
562:. Retrieved
530:. Retrieved
526:the original
492:. Retrieved
452:
448:
428:
422:
413:
387:
379:
375:
350:
327:
284:
265:
239:
199:
178:
176:
70:(until 1997)
64:Headquarters
940:(in French)
338:Brazzaville
318:gendarmerie
258:Holy Spirit
68:Brazzaville
1005:Categories
938:VOA Africa
901:2010-01-04
872:2010-11-01
843:2010-01-04
814:2010-01-04
785:2010-01-04
702:2010-01-04
663:2010-01-08
631:2010-01-04
596:2010-01-04
564:2010-01-13
532:2010-01-13
494:2010-01-08
459:References
262:apocalypse
989:15 August
944:15 August
743:: 37–54.
392:in 2009.
208:. In the
112:Opponents
895:Archived
866:Archived
837:Archived
833:BBC News
808:Archived
779:Archived
775:BBC News
696:Archived
657:Archived
625:Archived
590:Archived
586:BBC News
558:Archived
488:Archived
410:Pool War
298:militias
222:Pool War
168:Pool War
739:(390).
621:Reuters
437:torture
383:Kinkala
276:History
246:Bakongo
204:in the
185:in the
183:militia
181:were a
39:Leaders
757:723683
755:
453:Cocoye
443:." An
353:Angola
322:UNESCO
266:Ninjas
250:ninjas
179:Ninjas
142:(1997)
140:Angola
137:
121:
107:(1997)
97:Allies
22:Ninjas
753:JSTOR
449:Ninja
429:Ninja
425:USCIS
390:Paris
991:2018
946:2018
891:IRIN
862:IRIN
804:IRIN
554:IRIN
484:IRIN
451:and
439:and
344:and
334:Army
328:The
270:IRIN
177:The
89:Size
745:doi
1007::
977:.
936:.
910:^
889:.
860:.
831:.
802:.
773:.
751:.
737:98
735:.
711:^
690:.
672:^
655:.
649:.
623:.
619:.
605:^
584:.
573:^
552:.
541:^
503:^
482:.
467:^
435:,
300:.
224:.
993:.
948:.
904:.
875:.
846:.
817:.
788:.
759:.
747::
705:.
666:.
634:.
599:.
567:.
535:.
497:.
Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License. Additional terms may apply.
