At least 36 civilians have been killed in an area of eastern Democratic Republic of Congo that has been shaken by violence since 2014, the army said on Sunday.
Advertisement
The victims were found in Rwangoma, a neighbourhood on the outskirts of Beni, according to government spokesman Lambert Mende.
The government noted that the massacre was a work of a radicalised or jihadist group.
Residents in Beni marched to the mayor’s office in protest, and one resident said that others brought the body of a dead woman. “It’s not normal that they slaughter us like goats”, said demonstrator Georges Kamate, who drives a motorbike taxi.
“Our team on the ground has counted 51 bodies slain with machetes”, said Teddy Kataliko, a member of a local alliance of NGOs and unions working in the troubled town of Beni.
‘Our government is incapable of keeping us safe!’ shouted another protester.
This new attack came three days after a visit by President Joseph Kabila to the region, where he promised to do everything to “impose” peace and security.
Three days of national mourning has been declared in the Central African country. Analysts from the Congo Research Group in NY have suggested that government soldiers have participated in attacks around Beni in recent years, a claim denied by the government.
The government rejected the claims and said the ADF was “definitely” responsible for the massacres.
The group has been accused of copious human rights abuses and is thought to be deeply embroiled in criminal networks funded by kidnappings, smuggling and logging.
Ban also reiterated the UN’s commitment to support the country’s authorities to address the threats posed by armed groups and end impunity, said the statement.
Despite efforts by the global community and the Congolese authorities, the region has remained mired in violence since the end of the second Congolese war (1998-2003).
Advertisement
MONUSCO, in cooperation with the national forces, known by the French acronym, FARDC, and the national police, deployed forces throughout the territory of Beni to contribute to the protection of the population and prevent further attacks.
