The east of the DRC again in the grip of killings. At least 24 civilians were killed and a dozen others kidnapped in a new attack attributed to the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) in the territory of Beni. The attack took place on the night of Sunday January 22 to Monday January 23, in the village of Makungwe.
With our correspondent in Kinshasa, Pascal Mulegwa
According to the army, the perpetrators of the attack were fleeing the offensives of Congolese and Ugandan troops when they appeared in the village of Mukungwe around 9:30 p.m. The assailants being visibly more numerous, the few soldiers on the spot failed to prevent the killings. The first to be executed are a dozen civilians who were drinking beer in a small bar.
An attack for survival reasons, according to the military spokesman in the region, Captain Anthony Mwalushay: “ You will understand that the enemy has a problem. Not only does he want to avenge those killed by the army, but also kidnap to reinforce his numbers. Without speaking medication problems pharmaceutical products, because among the looted houses there are two pharmacies “.
Monday evening, the army was still in operation in Virunga Park, the attackers having entrenched themselves there. ” We are determined not only to avenge our compatriots but also to recover the ten who were kidnapped », adds Anthony Mwalushay.
The UN experts no longer have any doubts: the ADF is using the attacks to recruit. The hostages are enlisted by force, before being armed, as during the attack which caused a massive escape of the prisoners in Butembo last August.
Civil society organizations remain critical of operations, castigating military intelligence and calling for more men in uniform to prevent attacks.
► Also to listen : The ADF, eternal threat for the populations of Beni, in the east of the DRC