BENI, Democratic Republic of Congo (Reuters) – At least 13 individuals were killed in a gold quarry attack by unidentified militiamen in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo during the night, according to an army spokesperson and a civil society leader.
The attack occurred on Monday evening at the privately owned Shaba mining quarry in Aru territory, near the Ugandan border in Ituri province, said Dieudonne Lossa, president of Ituri province civil society.
Dieudonne Lossa informed Reuters that thirteen individuals lost their lives, while nine others sustained serious injuries and several more were taken hostage by the attackers, who required them to transport the stolen gold and other items.
He stated that there are two active armed groups in the region: the Cooperative for the Development of the Congo (CODECO) and a rival militia known as Zaire. These factions are among the numerous militias operating in the conflict-ridden eastern part of Congo.
Dieudonne Lossa had previously accused CODECO, which claims to protect the interests of Lendu farmers against Hema herders, of conducting a separate attack in Ituri province that resulted in the deaths of at least 14 individuals in a church on Sunday.
There is no immediate claim of responsibility for either attack, and there has been no response from CODECO or Zaire representatives.
Jules Ngongo Tshikudi, spokesperson for the Ituri army, reported the death toll at 14 for the quarry attack but did not attribute responsibility to any particular group.
He stated, “Operations are currently underway in this area to put an end to the activities of these armed men who spread devastation and terror in this border zone with Uganda.”
(Reporting by Erikas Mwisi Kambale; Writing by Nellie Peyton; Editing by Peter Graff)
Credit: The Star : News Feed
