Image Credit source: AP
At least 52 people have been killed in a rebel attack on a village near a mine in eastern Congo’s Ituri province. In addition to those killed, more than 100 civilians are missing.
Eastern Congo (DR CongoAt least 52 people have been killed in a rebel attack on a village near a mine in Ituri province. Government officials have given this information. Mongvalu mayor Jean-Pierre Bikilisende said fighters from a group called CODECO attacked the town of Cablangete on Sunday. In addition to those killed, more than 100 civilians are missing. The Information Ministry of the Congo said in a statement that the Congolese Government (Congo GovernmentCondemns this barbaric and cowardly attack. Whereas, the United Nations (United Nations) spokesman Stephane Dujarric said in New York that at least 38 civilians, including women and children, were killed in the attack at the Blakete-Palitu mine.
Dujarric said UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has asked the Congolese authorities to investigate the matter and bring those responsible for it to justice. At the same time, he also asked to ensure immediate access of peacekeeping missions in the region to facilitate efforts for the protection of civilians. At least 60 people were also killed in an attack by CODECO fighters in the Jugu area in February.
In March also the rebels had attacked
Earlier in March, rebels shot down a UN helicopter carrying eight peacekeepers and UN observers. The United Nations said that no one survived the incident. According to a Congolese military statement, the helicopter was on its way to a UN peacekeeping mission in Congo with another helicopter when it was attacked. UN peacekeepers on a helicopter were assessing the movements of communities attacked by a rebel group.
The rebels targeted many villages
According to a statement, the rebel group M23 on Monday attacked several villages, including Tchanju, Runyoni, Nadija and Tchenggrero. UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric later said no wreckage was found and no survivors were found in the search and rescue operation. He said the bodies of eight people were brought to Goma, the largest city in eastern Congo. “We extend our condolences to the families of the six Pakistani crew members and two military personnel from Russia and Serbia and the governments of their countries,” Dujarric said.
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