Militia attacks sow terror in DRC in run-up to polls

KINSHASA – Militias are sowing terror in northeastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) ahead of its general elections in July, launching almost daily attacks against the overstretched DRC army, military spokesmen told AFP this week.

“Hardly a day passes without a skirmish,” said Olivier Mputu, liaison officer of the Congolese Armed Forces (FARDC) in the northeastern region of Ituri. “Militia fighters, in small, very mobile units, attack our isolated positions in the totally vain hope of regaining ground that they have lost for good,” he added.Almost 200 000 people are estimated to have been driven from their villages in Ituri and are afraid to return home.British-based aid agency Oxfam suspended operations in Ituri last month due to a lack of security.Patrick Cammaert, commander of the eastern division of the United Nations force in DRC, MONUC, said his force was launching targeted military operations to limit the number of people displaced ahead of the general elections set for July 30.Around 100 militia fighters have been killed in a month and a half of battles, according to a provisional army toll.- Nampa-AFP”Militia fighters, in small, very mobile units, attack our isolated positions in the totally vain hope of regaining ground that they have lost for good,” he added.Almost 200 000 people are estimated to have been driven from their villages in Ituri and are afraid to return home.British-based aid agency Oxfam suspended operations in Ituri last month due to a lack of security.Patrick Cammaert, commander of the eastern division of the United Nations force in DRC, MONUC, said his force was launching targeted military operations to limit the number of people displaced ahead of the general elections set for July 30.Around 100 militia fighters have been killed in a month and a half of battles, according to a provisional army toll. – Nampa-AFP