The village of Batshongo, located in Kwango province, suffered a deadly attack on Friday evening which reportedly killed at least five people. According to local authorities, the Mobondo militia is behind the attack, which took place after a clash between this group and the defense and security forces. Unfortunately, the balance sheet is still provisional and may change.
According to testimonies collected on the spot, the assailants entered the village of Batshongo and beheaded several people, including a colonel and two other soldiers whose identity remains to be confirmed. In addition to these soldiers, a policeman and two civilians were reportedly shot dead. On the side of the attackers, there are no deaths to report so far.
The provincial government of Kwango has announced that the group responsible for this attack has taken refuge somewhere in the area with the intention of carrying out a new attack. The civilian population would have been evacuated, but some residents would still be there.
It is the second village of Kwango to be affected by violence after Bukangalonzo, bordering Bagata territory. For several months, the region has been the scene of sporadic violence which has caused numerous victims.
Faced with this catastrophic situation, civil society in Kwango calls on the authorities to act to put an end to this violence which is plunging the region into insecurity. There is an urgent need to find lasting solutions to protect local populations and restore peace and security in the region.
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– “Corn shortage in the DRC: a deputy raises a cry of alarm for sustainable food security”;
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