The Democratic Republic of Congo is observing a three-day mourning period following the massacre of 36 civilians at the hands of Ugandan Islamist rebel movement, Allied Democratic Forces (ADF).
ADF militia on Saturday stormed Rwangoma Township with machetes, slaughtering people who were at their homes or gardens.
Women had their throats slit in one of the most horrific attacks in recent years.
North Kivu Governor, Julien Paluku said 22 men and 14 women were butchered in the raid.
The shocking incident came high on the heels of President Joseph Kabila’s trip Uganda and Rwanda where he met with his counterparts, Yoweri Museveni and Paul Kagame.
ChimpReports understands Ugandan leaders expressed their concerns about ADF operations in Kivu before receiving assurance about DRC’s commitment to eliminate the rebel group.
According to DRC Defence Minister Crispin Atama Tabe who had accompanied Kabila to Uganda and Rwanda, ADF were responding to the government forces’ attack on their base at Mwalika.
He postponed his trip to Kinshasa, staying in Goma to intensify investigations into the attack and pursue the ADF remnants.
“The ADF have resorted to acts of terrorism, just like Boko-Haram,” said Atama.
“They are tactfully dodging our armed forces before wreaking havoc to civilians. They have been defeated in many encounters with our forces,” he added during a press briefing in Goma on Sunday.
ADF’s Supreme Commander Jamil Mukulu is in detention at Uganda police special operations headquarters in Nalufenya, Jinja.
How it happened
Survivors of the ADF attack said the militia raided Rwangoma at around 6:00pm.
The militants were wearing DRC armed forces’ military uniform but lacked badges.
Using machetes, they hacked to death anyone they came across. Women who were attending to their gardens were beheaded.
The killings sparked outrage in Beni, with civilians taking to the streets in protest.
The demonstration was eventually dispersed by anti-riot police.
General Mbangu Machita, the Commander of Operations Sukola 1 which is aimed at eliminating rebel movements in Eastern DRC, promised that government soldiers would receive new uniform to avoid duplication by the militants.
He further pledged to increase deployments in the affected areas, urging civilians to provide intelligence to the army.
DRC’s Interior Minister Evariste Boshab is expected in Goma today as the judiciary plans to hold a public trial of ADF militants arrested recently.
The hearing commences Tuesday, with several ADF combatants expected to face military judges.
Governor Paluku warned government would take stronger steps to get rid of militias in Beni.