A conflict of rivalry for the occupation of the mining quarry of Bigaragara would be at the origin of this tragedy, and an armed Banyamulenge self-defense group is singled out, while other fights are reported this Friday in the same territory.
With our correspondent in Bukavu, William Basimike
According to local civil society, Wednesday’s attack came after two armed local self-defense groups, the Twirwaneho and the Biloze Bishambuke, disputed over the control of taxes in this mining square located in the Basimunyaka southern groupement, in Mutambala sector, a landlocked region due to the lack of roads and telephone network.
The civil society of Bigaragara deplores the fact that artisanal diggers are among the victims for not having obeyed this or that armed group. Wednesday’s attacks claimed the lives of seven people directly in the mining square, eight bodies including children were later found charred in burnt houses, and six other people succumbed to their injuries in the bush, according to civil society. .
The head of the Mutambala sector, Lwanusha Mmelelwa Josué, confirms the death of seven people and points the finger at the armed group Twirwaneho. Like civil society, he regrets the absence of FARDC soldiers in this mining area, ” a situation that pushes armed groups to carry out hostilities unmolested he says.
For their part, the Twirwaneho deny the accusations and say they are not directly or indirectly involved.
Meanwhile, hostilities resumed this Friday morning in the villages of Natulonge, Nagishasha, Biziba and Kamimbi between the coalition of Banyamulenge armed groups, Gumino -Twirwaneho – Android, and the Maimai Biloze Bishambuke coalition.