Suspected Uganda militia kill over 30 people in Eastern DR Congo

At least 30 civilians have been killed in a massacre in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, that has been shaken by violence since 2014, the army said on Sunday.

Rebels from the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), a Ugandan Islamist militia that has operated in eastern Congo since the 1990s, attacked the village of Rwangoma, about 5 km south of the commercial hub of Beni around 7 p.m. local time, said local army spokesman Mak Hazukay.

The ADF has been accused of human rights abuses and criminal activities funded by kidnappings, smuggling and logging.

Dozens of armed groups are active in North Kivu, where government troops have also been accused of preying on civilian population.

The killings came three days after DR Congo’s President Joseph Kabila visited the region, promising to do everything in his power to bring peace and security.

Meanwhile, nineteen people have been killed in clashes between police and militia in the centre of the Democratic Republic of Congo, authorities said. The fighting erupted when police who were conducting a security search, were attacked by militia.

Police also seized weapons and ammunition as investigation continues.