New testimonies continue arriving in regard
to the wide insecurity in the Haut-Uele area, in the Orientale Province,
due to the presence of the Ugandan rebels of the LRA (Lord's Resistance
Army). MISNA local missionary sources indicate that the people are living
in constant fear, due both to the violence against innocent civilians,
in silence, and the abuse by regular troops. Aron Sambia, president of
the civil society of Dungu (780km north-east of Kisangani), told the Congolese
Radio Okapi that "from December 26 there has been a series of violent
acts, killings and mutilations. In one month 14 people were hospitalised
in Dungu". According to Sambia, the situation degenerated since the government
redeployed a large number of troops from Dungu to the other side of the
country, in the Equator province, leaving the rebels free reign. New details
also emerge on attacks by the LRA in mid December in Mabanga ya talo, denounced
to MISNA by Monsignor Julien Andavo Mbia of Isiro-Niangara. According to
a village head, who assisted the funerals of the victims, at least 20 people
were killed by the rebels and many others were abducted and taken into
the forest.
[BO]
DR Congo + 1 more