Local authorities and civil society leaders say extremist-linked rebels killed at least 44 villagers in Congo’s volatile eastern region during separate attacks that started on Sunday night. Eastern Congo has been ravaged by conflict for decades as more than 120 armed groups fight for control of valuable mineral resources and some try to protect their communities. Mass killings by rebels are frequent. The violence has sent nearly seven million people fleeing their homes. Deadly attacks have intensified in recent weeks as authorities and security forces struggle to regain control.
BY JEAN-YVES KAMALE
Posted inArticle
At least 27 dead with dozens more missing after boat capsizes in northwest Congo
A senior Congolese official says a boat capsized in Congo’s northwest killing at least 27 people. More than 70 others were missing as rescuers searched frantically for survivors. The locally made boat capsized late Friday in the town of Mbandaka in Equateur Province as it transported more than 100 passengers along the Congo River to the town of Bolomba. That’s according to Taylor Nganzi, deputy provincial governor, who said 27 bodies had been recovered. The New Civil Society of Congo, a local civil society group, said 49 people died in the accident, which it said occurred after an engine failure. The contradictory death tolls could not immediately be reconciled.
