At Least 21 Dead in Eastern Congo Attack

Militants attacked a village in eastern Congo with machetes and guns, killing at least a dozen civilians, Congo’s army announced on Monday.

Fighters believed to be from the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) attacked the village of Masambo on Sunday night, according to Ricardo Rupande, president of the group, the Ruenzori Sector Civil Society.

“Investigations are underway,” Rupande said. “We are in pursuit of the enemy towards the Uganda border near Mount Ruwenzori. I call on the population to remain calm and to collaborate with the Congolese army by giving any information on suspicious persons.”

The village is about 40 km (25 miles) east of the city of Beni in the Ruenzori district.

Deborah Mutangi, who spoke to the AP in Beni, pointed out that she and her children survived the attack and fled Monday morning.

“After hearing bullets, I went straight into the house to tell the children to lock the doors,” she said. “In the morning, we woke up to see bodies everywhere.” Mutangi said she counted at least 15 dead.

“Thank God that I arrived safely with my children,” she added, calling on the Congo's government to hunt down the rebels, or “they will kill us all.”