Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Kinshasa (Agenzia Fides) - Eleven people were killed in the assault on July 15 in three villages in the territory of Beni, in North Kivu, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, on behalf of ADF-NALU, a group of Ugandan origin that now calls itself Muslim Defense International (MDI).
According to a statement sent to Agenzia Fides by the "Study Centre for Peace, Democracy and Human Rights" (CEPADHO), most of the victims died in the fire in their homes, torched by the guerrillas. MDI men set fire to 69 houses and looted cattle and furnishings.
According to CEPADHO this is the fourth most serious attack committed within a month by MDI men (see Fides 13/07/2015). The organization of local civil society have asked the government of Kinshasa and the UN to send more troops (Congolese and international), with adequate means to stop the actions of ADF/MDI terrorists" which constitute a threat to peace and security in the region", as denounced in May by the local Bishops (see Fides 26/05/2015). (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 17/07/2015)
