from JEAN KASSONGO in Kinshasa, DRC
DRC Bureau
KINSHASA, (CAJ News) – RENEWED attacks by the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) armed group have left at least 52 civilians dead in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Eight women and two children, one of whom was a young girl, are among those killed in several localities of Beni and Lubero territories in the North Kivu province.
The United Nations Organization Stabilisation Mission in the DRC (MONUSCO) fears the death toll may rise.
The violence between August 9 and 16 was accompanied by abductions, looting, burning of homes, vehicles, and motorcycles as well as the destruction of property belonging to populations already facing dire humanitarian conditions.
The attacks targeting civilians add to the atrocities committed during the night of July 26 to 27 in Komanda in Irumu territory of Ituri province.
(MONUSCO) has denounced these as intolerable and constituting serious violations of international humanitarian law and human rights.
“I extend my sincere condolences, and those of the United Nations, to the bereaved families and communities, and reaffirm my solidarity with the affected populations,” said Bintou Keita, Special Representative of the Secretary-General in the DRC.
She is also the head of MONUSCO.
In response to the new wave of violence, MONUSCO has reinforced its military presence and support to Congolese authorities.
On August 13 and 14, during incidents in Mayi-Moya (North Kivu), the mission provided physical protection to 206 civilians who sought refuge at its military base.
MONUSCO, in coordination with the national army and local authorities, has strengthened protection efforts by deploying day and night patrols.
The Islamist ADF group operates in western Uganda and eastern DRC.
– CAJ News
