Posted on 02/24/2004 5:07:28 AM PST by nuconvert
U.N. Investigating Reports of 100 Civilians Massacred in Congo
The Associated Press
2-24-04
KINSHASA, Congo (AP) - The U.N. Congo mission is investigating reports of massacres of about 100 civilians and seven soldiers by Mayi-Mayi fighters in southeast Congo, a U.N. spokesman said Tuesday. The killings have allegedly occurred in Katanga province, 960 miles from the capital Kinshasa, spokesman Hamadoun Toure said.
Congo's military confirmed massacres of civilians since January. It gave no more details.
The government and U.N. mission in Congo are trying to assert control nationwide after a five-year war that split the country, about the size of Western Europe, into rebel and government turf.
Ethnic militias are continuing attacks in Congo's lawless east. The Mayi-Mayi were loosely allied with the government during the war.
Gen. Dieugentil Mpia Nzambe said attacks included an instance in which Mayi-Mayi threw a grenade into a church, killing 25 people inside.
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