AFRICA/DR CONGO - The failed assault on the prison in Beni, further sign of a guerrilla resurgence

Monday, 16 January 2017 armed groups  

Kinshasa (Agenzia Fides) - Failed assault on the central prison in Beni, in North Kivu, by an armed group that is presumed to be formed by May May militiamen. According to information sent to Agenzia Fides, a group of armed men attacked the prison between 2 and 2.30 am yesterday, Sunday, January 15.
After putting to flight the prison guards, the militiamen tried to force the prison door, but were put to flight by the intervention of the army that killed an assailant.
At the same time an escape attempt was foiled in the reformatory of the city, just one of the boys managed to escape. According to local NGOs CEPADHO (Study Centre for the promotion of peace, democracy and human rights), the two escape attempts were coordinated, and we are not talking about simple acts of banditry but the attempt of the local guerrillas to replenish the ranks freeing arrested comrades.
According to CEPADHO the militiamen who attacked the prison in Beni are the same ones who attacked the same prison and the town of Beni last December 20. This group apparently is affiliated to the May-May Corps du Christ, in turn linked to the Ugandan ADF rebels. The leader of the May-May Corps du Christ, Bwambale Karole, announced he is leading a new rebellion to "liberate North Kivu".
CEPADHO warned the authorities in Kinshasa that a new war in North Kivu is being prepared, following the threats of Bwambale Karole and the disappearance of several men of the old M23 rebellion who had taken refuge in Uganda. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 16/01/2017)


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