Democratic Republic of Congo army, rebel clash leaves 9 dead

By James Tasamba

KIGALI, Rwanda (AA) – Eight rebels and a soldier were killed during fighting between the government forces and Uganda’s rebels of the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) in the Democratic Republic of Congo’s Ituri province on Thursday, the military confirmed Friday.

The fighting erupted after the rebels targeted an army position, according to the army.

“The army pursued the rebels after an attempted attack on the forces’ position in Malaya not far from Boga area. Eight rebels were neutralized, but we also lost one soldier,” Lt. Jules Ngongo, a military spokesman in Ituri, said.

“A 40mm rocket and several munitions were recovered.”

Local authorities say the situation in Boga and Chiabi regions in Ituri has been volatile since May due to regular attacks by the ADF fighters.

In a report, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OHCA) on Wednesday painted a gloomy picture of the humanitarian situation in the Central African country’s Ituri province due to growing violence.

More than 1.7 million people are internally displaced, with 14% of them living in resettlement sites and 86% in host families in the territories of Djugu, Irumu, Mahagi, Mambasa, and Aru, according to the report.

The National Assembly of the Democratic Republic of Congo adopted a bill Tuesday that extended the state of siege in Ituri and North Kivu restive provinces for 15 days.

President Felix Tshisekedi proclaimed a “state of siege” in May, replacing senior civilian officials in the state with army officers in a bid to curb growing insecurity.