The Rastas were formed circa 2004 and are a violent splinter group of the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda, the latter of which is a primary remnant Rwandan Hutu rebel group in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The Rastas are a gang of fugitives who live in the wilds of the forest in eastern DRC. The Rastas are a heavily armed group that engage in acts of violent crime, including kidnapping, rape, burning babies and chopping their foes. Group members dreadlocks and wear Los Angeles Lakers jerseys and tracksuits.
In 2007, officials from the United Nations (UN) have stated that the group consists of former Hutu militia members who fled Rwanda in 1994 after perpetrating genocidal acts there. At this time, UN officials also stated that the group appeared to have created their own group after splitting off.
In 2007, an 18-year-old woman named Honorata Barinjibanwa stated that in April 2007 the Rastas raided a village she was at, kidnapping and keeping her as a sex slave, committing acts of gang rape, until August. She stated that she was tied to a tree most of the time.
This group is not affiliated with members of the peaceful, religious Rastafari movement.