Suspected ADF rebels kill 3 civilians in DR Congo's Beni

By James Tasamba

KIGALI, Rwanda (AA) - At least three civilians were killed and three wounded in an attack Wednesday attributed to Ugandan rebels from the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) in Beni territory in the Democratic Republic of Congo’s North Kivu province, according to authorities.

Rebels attacked the center of Kainama late Tuesday and gunfire could be heard until noon Wednesday, said authorities.

“The victims were killed after coming out of their hiding place during a lull in the shooting,” local provincial official Isaya Muhindo told reporters. He said two other civilians were wounded.

“The situation remained tense on Wednesday as gunfire could be heard in the region until late afternoon, but later, the army launched an offensive to repel the rebels,” he said.

The ADF has stepped up attacks in North Kivu and Ituri since the start of the year, particularly targeting civilians.

At least 16 civilians were recently killed when a suspected ADF rebel group ambushed a truck in the Beni area.

The DR Congo army recently launched offensives on several ADF positions in Tchabi, which borders North Kivu.

In a bid to curb growing insecurity, DR Congo President Felix Tshisekedi proclaimed a “state of siege” in North Kivu and Ituri in May, replacing senior civilian officials in the state with army officers.

But the UN Joint Human Rights Office in the country said in a report last week that it had not seen a significant impact of the state of siege for the protection of civilians.

“Although neutralizations and surrenders of combatants of armed groups have been noted in North Kivu and Ituri, attacks against civilians, in their homes and farms as well as on roads, have increased in the provinces under siege,” said the report.

It noted the situation is particularly worrying in the territories of Irumu in Ituri and Beni.