Militia clashes kill 14 in DR Congo

Local sources say 14 people were killed in a power battle between rival militias in the Democratic Republic of Congo’s eastern Maniema province on Wednesday.

According to Modeste Ngimbi, governor of the Kabambare region near South Kivu province, the skirmishes pitted components of two ethnic armed organizations, one led by a warrior known as Hercules and the other by a man known as Mitterrand.

“The toll which we have is 14 dead” with fatalities on both sides, he said, adding that there had been a “massive displacement of the population” to nearby towns.

A humanitarian coordination meeting was held this week to discuss aid needs.

One participant, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed the toll, which had come from three days of fighting from last Saturday to Monday.

Two of the 14 dead were fighters, the others civilians, the source said.

Rape, torture, looting and destruction of property were also reported, as well as the presence of children in the ranks of armed groups.

The security situation had worsened since last December in the region, where there is a power struggle between communities, notably over control of gold mines.-he said.