May 13. (EUROPE PRESS) –
At least four dead and injured in clashes that took place this Friday between assailants from the ‘Mobondo’ militia and the Police of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in the province of Kwango, in the southwest of the country.
The first vice president of the province, Symphorien Kwengo, has specified that the provisional balance of the fighting is three “men in uniform” and one civilian, the Congolese radio station Radio Okapi has published.
The inhabitants have fled in a disorganized manner from the village of Batshongo, in the territory of Kenge, according to Kwengo, who has advocated for the “urgent restoration” of peace in the region so that citizens can return to their homes.
INCREASE IN VIOLENCE IN THE REGION
The DRC Civil Society Consultation Framework denounced the recurring killings of civilians by unidentified gunmen in Kenge territory last April.
“Every month, we record between three and five cases of murder in Kenge territory alone. (…) We ask the government to further strengthen security on the Kwango, Batshongo, Kabuba and Bukanga Lonzo section of the bridge,” Lonzo said. on April 5 the president of the organization, Lucien Lufutu.
In addition, he asked community members not to walk alone under any circumstances and recommended walking in a group for greater safety, in addition to encouraging them to report any suspicious movement they observed in the villages.
