Clashes between Congo tribal militia, government kill 31

Written By DNA Web Team | Updated: Dec 06, 2016, 03:25 PM IST

A member of the Uganda military carries his weapon as he guards the burnt down royal palace of Charles Wesley Mumbere, king of the Rwenzururu, a week after Uganda security forces stormed the compound in Kasese town, western Uganda bordering with Democratic republic of Congo, December 1, 2016.

More than a decade after a 1996-2003 war, the Congo remains a tinderbox of armed groups and ethnic militia.

Clashes between a tribal militia and security forces in a province of central Congo killed at least 31 people at the weekend, its vice governor said on Monday.

Hubert Mbingho N'Vula said on state TV that the conflict in Kasaï province started after a row between an uncle and a nephew over who had the title to a local chieftaincy, before Congolese forces stepped in to try to restore order.

"(The uncle) resorted to raising a militia," N'Vula said, adding that 13 security forces and 18 militiamen had been killed.

More than a decade after a 1996-2003 war that killed millions, the mineral-rich country remains a tinderbox of armed groups and ethnic militia.