The army was successful in driving away the militia

Kinshasa: At least 72 people, including nine soldiers and a soldier’s wife, were killed when gunmen attacked a village in Congo. At least 72 people were killed in a militia attack near Congo’s capital in a conflict over land that has escalated violence between rival communities, local officials said. The attack took place in the village of Kinsele, about 100 km east of the capital Kinshasa.
The struggle over land has been going on for two years
Due to insecurity and poor infrastructure in the area, attacks take several days to be reported. There has been a two-year conflict between the Teke and Yaka communities in the Kinsale Kwamouth area, which has left hundreds of civilians dead. The attackers were members of the Mbondo militia. The group presents itself as protectors of the Yaka people.
David Bisaka, provincial deputy for the Kwamouth region, said by phone that the search for other bodies in the bushes was continuing. He said the army succeeded in repelling the militia for the second time in a week. The Mbondo militia first tried to attack the village on Friday. At least 72 people were killed in Saturday’s attack. The dead included nine soldiers and a soldier’s wife.
Congolese army struggles to stop violence
Clashes between communities continue and have intensified in recent weeks, despite a ceasefire agreed to by Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi in April 2024. Congo’s army is also struggling to prevent more widespread violence in the country’s east, where many want a share in the region’s gold and other resources.