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Heavy, sporadic gunfire heard in Republic of Congo capital Ex-militia attack military, police in Republic of Congo
(about 7 hours later)
BRAZZAVILLE, Republic of Congo — Heavy gunfire was heard in Republic of Congo’s capital early Monday, with a government official saying police were battling militia fighters. BRAZZAVILLE, Republic of Congo — Former militiamen attacked a military position and burned police stations in the Republic of Congo’s capital early Monday, the government said.
The gunfire tapered off at times and was contained in the southern Bacongo and Makelekele neighborhoods of Brazzaville. Police forces exchanged fire with the attackers, and were restoring order, the government said in a statement as heavy gunfire subsided.
Police are fighting with militiamen known as the Ninjas, said a government official who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not permitted to speak to the media on the matter. Authorities are monitoring the situation, he said. Former members of the militia, known by the name the Ninjas Nsiloulou, attacked a military position in the Mayanga neighborhood of Brazzaville, the government said. Police stations in Djoue, Makelekele, Lemina and Kinsoundi neighborhoods, along with the mayor’s office in Makelekele were set on fire, it said.
Residents were forced from their homes, the government said. The fighting seemed to be contained to only certain areas of the capital, though residents spilled into other parts. The government urged everyone to remain peaceful and calm. The statement did not give further details.
Monday’s fighting comes weeks after the re-election of longtime President Denis Sassou N’Guesso, who has ruled for more than 30 years. The March 20 vote that saw him back in office came five months after a constitutional referendum removed term and age limits that would have barred the 72-year-old from running.
The Ninjas were one of the main anti-government forces in the 1998-99 civil war. Led by renegade pastor Frederic Bitsangou, they signed 1999 cease-fire agreements, but took up arms again in the early 2000s to demand a role in military and political decisions. A peace deal was signed in 2003 between the militia and government.The Ninjas were one of the main anti-government forces in the 1998-99 civil war. Led by renegade pastor Frederic Bitsangou, they signed 1999 cease-fire agreements, but took up arms again in the early 2000s to demand a role in military and political decisions. A peace deal was signed in 2003 between the militia and government.
The militia under Bitsangou was eventually disbanded and he was later brought into the government as a minister. The militia under Bitsangou was eventually disbanded and he was later brought into the government as a Cabinet minister.
Monday’s fighting comes weeks after the re-election of longtime President Denis Sassou N’Guesso. He has ruled the Central African country since 1979, though he was out of power for five years beginning in 1992 after losing the first multi-party vote. Anti-government protesters clashed with security forces in the run-up to the October referendum, though the later election period was calm.
The March 20 vote that saw him back in office came five months after a constitutional referendum removed term and age limits that would have barred the 72-year-old leader from running. The government said it was investigating if the violence was election-related, and condemned any candidates who may have called for unrest.
The run-up to the October referendum featured clashes between anti-government protesters and security forces, though the later election period was calm.
Republic of Congo is located in central Africa next to the much larger nation of Congo.
Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.