Beni : at least 30 civilians killed by ADF militiamen in less than two weeks

Thirty people were killed in the Beni territory in the North Kivu province in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo in attacks attributed to ADF (Allied Democratic Forces) militiamen over the past two weeks.
This is what the local civil society reports. It does not hide its concern about the resurgence of these rebel attacks. However, the Congolese army claims to have repelled these militiamen.

INFO SOS Médias Burundi

According to the vice-president of the civil society in the Beni territory, inhabitants of this region are victims of repeated attacks by the militiamen of this armed group, which is on the US government’s list of terrorist movements.

According to this activist, the population of Beni feels “sacrificed and abandoned”. Richard Kirimba believes that it is unbelievable to see the war against the M23 mobilizing the national attention at a time when the war against the ADF does not seem to be a national priority while the latter are killing civilians.

“The population of Beni also has the right to life,” says Richard Kirimba, vice-president of the civil society in the Beni territory.

Papy Kasereka, a researcher on security issues in the region, calls on the government and MONUSCO (UN Mission in the DRC) to take the threat of ADF militias seriously.

“The government must prevent the ADF from reorganizing, as they are doing. Then, it is imperative to strengthen human and material resources in the area,” he advises.

Colonel Mak Hazukay, spokesman for the FARDC (Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo) in the region confirmed a large number of ADF militiamen have infiltrated the local population since last November, which has allowed them to carry out attacks on the Eringeti-Kaina and Mbau-Kamango sections.

Colonel Hazukay also asks the population to be extra vigilant during this holiday season.

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Fighters of the ADF armed group considered by the region, the United States and the UN as a terrorist movement (SOS Médias Burundi)