Dem. Rep. Congo: Army kills 14 militiamen

By Godfrey Olukya

ARU, Democratic Republic of Congo (AA) - The Congolese army killed 14 local militiamen in the Central Kasai province in a clash late Friday, the military announced.

The Mouvement Politico-Coutumier “is a notorious militia which has been attacking people in their homes and killing them before looting their property,'' Maj. Jean Muga, Congolese army commander in Kasai, told reporters Saturday.

He added that they will pursue the militia wherever it goes until it is eliminated.

Some weeks ago the army repulsed militiamen from the same group who attacked the province's capital Kananga and a nearby airport, controlling them for a few hours before being driven off, he said.

During the clashes in Kananga, over 40 people were reportedly killed and property damage included a police building. Since then, the army has tightened security in the city.

Alex Kande, Central Kasai’s governor, praised the army’s work in fighting the militia when it attacked administrative buildings – burning some – and looting property in the town of Kena Nkuna.

There are numerous militia groups in Democratic Republic of Congo that largely act with impunity, killing innocent civilians and forcefully grabbing property.

The Mouvement Politico-Coutumier has sought revenge for the death of its leader, Kamwina Nsapu, who was killed by the army in August.