Congo: Army officers arrested on crime against humanity

By Godfrey Olukya

ARU, Democratic Republic of Congo (AA) - Authorities in Democratic Republic of Congo on Saturday arrested 7 army officers, including a major and a captain, over allegations that they committed crimes against humanity.

They reportedly tortured and shot dead dozens of unarmed people a few days ago in Kasai Central province.

''7 suspects, all army officers have been arrested. They include a major who has been the commander of operations,'' Major General Joseph Ponde Issambwa, the general auditor in the army, said in a statement.

He added they were arrested after thorough investigations by a team of senior army investigators.

The arrest follows a video that circulated on the Internet, and social media showing the army men in uniform killing followers of Kamuina Nsapu in cold blood.

Kamuina Nsapu was a popular local chief who turned against government and was killed last year in August by police.

UN human rights department and human rights organizations filed complaints about the killings and requested investigations which prompted DRC authorities to react.