Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Kinshasa (Agenzia Fides) –At least 88,500 people have been displaced in the areas of Beni and Walikale, in North Kivu province (east DR Congo). They are fleeing violence from the Alied Democratic Forces (ADF), an armed group of Ugandan origin now active in the east of the DRC (see Fides 26/11/2014). This is affirmed by the Congolese press citing sources of humanitarian organisations caring for the homeless people.
According to a report sent to Fides by the local civil society coordination office, the most recent massacres of civilians were reported on 1 December, when three people were murdered by machete in the town of Eringeti: the victims were two girls and a 12 year old boy. Three other people were seriously wounded.
“These attacks on civilians follow a series of massacres in the same area: on 20 November, in Ngite, at least 100 civilians were slaughtered with machete” the report says. “The civil society in North Kivu has no words to describe the tragedy and horror. Our Coordination centre is appalled at this spiral of cold blooded anger, armed violence which is destroying the villages and towns of Beni at this time when MONUSCO (UN Mission in DRC) celebrates 15 years of presence in our country” the report ends. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 5/12/2014)
