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DR Congo violence: Axe attackers kill dozens near Beni | DR Congo violence: Axe attackers kill dozens near Beni |
(35 minutes later) | |
At least 50 people have been massacred by machete and axe-wielding attackers in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, according to activists. | At least 50 people have been massacred by machete and axe-wielding attackers in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, according to activists. |
Witnesses said the killings were carried out by men in uniforms posing as soldiers. | Witnesses said the killings were carried out by men in uniforms posing as soldiers. |
The massacre happened near the Ugandan border around 6 miles (10km) from the town of Beni, where army and UN troops are stationed. | The massacre happened near the Ugandan border around 6 miles (10km) from the town of Beni, where army and UN troops are stationed. |
Government officials blamed a Ugandan Islamist rebel group, the ADF. | |
More than 200 people have been killed near Beni since early October by the ADF (Allied Democratic Forces), official say. | |
It is not yet known exactly how many people died in the latest onslaught, reports the BBC's Maud Jullien in Kinshasa. | It is not yet known exactly how many people died in the latest onslaught, reports the BBC's Maud Jullien in Kinshasa. |
However, one woman who managed to flee said she counted at least 50 bodies, our correspondent adds. | However, one woman who managed to flee said she counted at least 50 bodies, our correspondent adds. |
Amisi Kalonda, the regional administrator, told the BBC that nine bodies had been retrieved so far. | |
He said the dead were spread out across the forest and that searches were still ongoing. | |
UN officials, who have been repeatedly criticised for failing to stem the violence, say they have increased their military presence in the area since October. | UN officials, who have been repeatedly criticised for failing to stem the violence, say they have increased their military presence in the area since October. |
But a senior UN source told the BBC that the organisation did not have the capacity to protect all the civilians in the area. | But a senior UN source told the BBC that the organisation did not have the capacity to protect all the civilians in the area. |
Over the past two decades, numerous armed groups have caused havoc in DR Congo's mineral-rich eastern regions. | Over the past two decades, numerous armed groups have caused havoc in DR Congo's mineral-rich eastern regions. |
The ADF was formed in 1996 by a puritanical Muslim sect in the Ruwenzori mountains of western Uganda. | The ADF was formed in 1996 by a puritanical Muslim sect in the Ruwenzori mountains of western Uganda. |
Peace agreements last year have failed to end violence in the east. | Peace agreements last year have failed to end violence in the east. |